Nick Carter's Ghost Story, Pt 2

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Hi, everyone.

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And welcome again to another episode of forward into the past.

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I am JC Rede, your host and narrator.

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And today we're picking up where we left off in the mysterious.

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Nick Carter's go story exactly.

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As it appeared in the weekly story paper, the New York weekly way back in 1894.

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Story papers have a long and varied history.

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The weekly story papers were sold in major cities around the us and the UK as well.

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Across the pond.

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They were known as penny dreadfuls and other, such quirky names as befitting our neighbors across the sea.

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The stories that appeared in story papers were almost always re-used in what were known as dime novels, which like story papers began to appear in the mid 18 hundreds.

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During the civil war, it was not uncommon to send a soldier fighting in a skirmish in a completely different state, a dime novel so that he could read it during downtimes and in between battles.

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It is said that even president Abraham Lincoln carried a dime novel in his inside coat pocket to distract himself from the horrors that surrounded him and indeed the entire country.

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Dime novels generally ranged in size from paperback book size to magazine size.

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Now to make matters worse dime novels, ranged in price as well, anywhere from 5 cents up to 15 cents.

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Competition was fierce in the 1890s.

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Nick Carter's New York, weekly stories were reprinted in his own weekly dime novel series.

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The Nick Carter library.

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Thanks to the publishing competition between the publishing houses of street and Smith, Frank talcy and others, many weekly stories were used again and again, to add luster to new formats dried out by all the houses.

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Street and Smith, the publishers of the Nick Carter stories excelled at it.

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Nick's stories were at various times, part of the New York weekly story paper.

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The Nick Carter library and the new Nick Carter weekly.

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The main difference in the library version, being 32 pages long and costing 10 cents making it a true dime novel.

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And the weekly version being slightly smaller, but about the same number of pages.

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And costing only a nickel.

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The library stories were usually printed with black and white illustrations on the cover.

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But the nickel weeklies were using a vibrant color cover printed on better quality paper.

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To make matters, even worse were the thick books, which were also printed by various print houses, but especially street and Smith.

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But I will leave the discussion of those for a later podcast.

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Because I would really like to get back to Nick.

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Carter's go story.

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If you will indulge me.

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In our last episode, our master detective Nick Carter was told the story of the vanishing jewelry pieces from one of the grandest mansions in the U S at the time, the Plummer house in long island.

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Assuming the theft was due to the fact that most mansions had secret passages and entryways for servants.

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Nick nonetheless took the case.

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Mainly for the curious insistence that the current owner of the Plummer property Colonel Richmond was making that the jewels were being stolen by a ghost.

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Is it really a ghost?

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Or is someone really behind the thievery?

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And should the jewels stay with Colonel Richmond's daughter Mrs.

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Pond.

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Or should they go to the poor miss Millie Stevens instead?

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Well, let's find out as we go forward into the past, once again and crack open the case file of Nick Carter's ghost story.

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Chapter three, how Nick found the jewels.

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It certainly looked like sheer recklessness for this thief, whoever he might be to play his game on Nick almost at the very moment when the great detective appeared upon the scene.

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Shrewd as Nick was, he had not expected this.

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His first thought as the reader knows was that it was a bold challenge.

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The defiance of a nervy criminal who thought himself absolutely safe from detection.

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But a moment's reflection made this seem less probable.

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Was it not more natural to suppose that this event proved that the detective was unknown to the thief.

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Such being the case.

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Colonel Richmond, his nephew and Mrs.

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Pond were acquitted at the start.

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It may seem ridiculous to suspect them in any case, but so strange with the nature of this affair that Nick gave nobody the credit of certain innocence.

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Colonel Richmond was certainly very, nearly crazy on one point.

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He might be so much of a lunatic as to commit these robberies from simple delusion.

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Or he might wish to prove his daughter, that the diamonds were not rightfully hers.

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Mrs pond.

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Might be pawning them for small extravagances, which she was afraid to have known.

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As to Horace Richmond.

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There was no motive, which seemed plausible.

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The value of the articles taken was so small as to make the game not worthwhile for a man in his position.

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And it was perfectly certain that no professional thief or dishonest servant was doing the work.

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If such a person had been in the game.

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He would not have taken one of those diamond pins.

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He would've taken all three.

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It was impossible to lose sight of the fact that the Stephensons would be the real gainers.

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If this ghost business led Colonel Richmond.

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To insist that his daughter should give up the jewels.

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Mrs.

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Stevens and her daughter could not be doing the job personally.

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But they might have a secret agent among the servants.

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Or more probably concealed in some secret recess of the strange old house.

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Nick resolved to go see Mrs.

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And Ms.

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Stevens without delay.

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He hoped to judge by their conduct, whether they knew anything about the robberies.

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These thoughts passed through his mind in a flash.

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He quickly searched the room to be sure that the thief was not concealed in it.

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And then descended to the main hall.

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The outer door was open and Colonel Richmond and his daughter were standing on the steps.

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Just as Nick joined them, Horace Richmond strolled up.

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They all stood looking at a carriage, which was coming up the driveway.

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Why, it's Mrs.

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Stephens, exclaimed.

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Mrs.

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Pond.

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I thought you said she did not come here anymore.

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Well, she hasn't been here in some time, responded the Colonel.

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I've thought that she avoided us because of the matter of the jewels.

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Nothing more could be said on the subject for, at that moment, the carriage drew up before the door.

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Colonel Richmond advanced courteously and assisted Mrs.

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Stevens to alight.

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Nick noticed that once that she was much agitated.

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Colonel Richmond asked her into the house, but she said that she preferred to sit on the veranda.

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She had come on business and would stay, but a moment.

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She evidently wished to speak to the Colonel privately.

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And so the others stepped aside.

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But Nick's eye was upon the woman every moment.

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Very few words had passed between them when the Colonel uttered a cry and called to Nick.

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The detective instantly advanced.

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He made a sign to Richmond, but it was not understood.

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And the Colonel introduced Nick by his right name.

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Here is an extraordinary thing, Mr.

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Carter, he said, we now have proof positive that this affair is not the work of mortal hands.

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What is that?

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Asked Nick.

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The jewels have appeared.

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Where.

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In Mrs.

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Steven's house.

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They have been mysteriously transported there without human aid.

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I should be glad to have that proven said, Nick.

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It shall be said the Colonel.

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Tell your story, Mrs.

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Stevens, if you please.

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It is very simple.

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She said, This noon.

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When I returned to my room after lunch, I found upon my dressing table, certain pieces of jewelry, which I recognized as having belonged to the late Ms.

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Lavina Richmond.

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I knew them well.

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Nothing that I can imagine could have surprised me more than to find them there.

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I have no explanation to offer.

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I can't explain how it happened.

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Nick could explain it very easily.

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At least so far as the appearance of the jewels in that particular place was concerned.

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It looked like a natural development of the plot.

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But his face expressed no emotion as he asked, who had access to that room?

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Nobody.

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Replied Mrs.

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Stephens.

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It was locked.

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Is it customary for you to lock your bedroom door when you go to lunch?

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No, it is quite unusual.

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But we have a new servant to the house.

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And as I had considerable money in the room, I took that precaution.

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All the doors were locked.

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I had the key to one of them.

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The others were on the inside of the locks.

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When I went to lunch, the jewels were not there when I returned there.

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They were.

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That is all that I know about it.

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Here they are.

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She drew from her pocket as she spoke a small cardboard box.

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The woman was making heroic efforts to be calm.

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But it seemed as if she might either faint or go into hysterics at any moment.

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Was she playing a game that was too hard for her.

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That was the question for Nick to answer.

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And yet when he looked at this gentle refined woman, he hardly had the heart to suspect her of any dishonesty.

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I will show you the jewels.

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She said, struggling to command her voice.

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You can then see whether they are all here.

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Her trembling hands could hardly find the string which was tied about the box.

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While she pulled at it.

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She kept talking as if she must do it to relieve her overburdened mind.

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She described the articles of jewelry, which were in the box.

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They are the very ones.

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said the Colonel.

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As he uttered the words, the string was loosened and the cover fell off the box.

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There was a sharp cry.

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It came from Mrs.

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Pond who with Horace had approached during the scene.

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Why there's one of my diamond pins.

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She exclaimed.

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How on earth did it come to be there?

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Well, if Mrs.

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Pond was surprised, she wasn't a bit more so than Nick Carter.

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The pin referred to was the one which had been stolen from the cushion in Mrs.

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Pond's dressing room, not 10 minutes before.

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Why, this is impossible cried Mrs.

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Pond.

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I left that pin with two others like it in my room.

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Without saying another word.

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She turned and ran into the house.

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Almost immediately, her voice was heard in the hall.

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It's gone.

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She cried.

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It's been taken out of my bedroom.

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She appeared at the door with a very white face, but her excitement was nothing to that of Mrs.

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Stevens.

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Nick dropped the role of detective and assumed that of doctor in less than a second.

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When he had saved Mrs.

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Stevens from an attack of hysterics, he said, I was aware that that pin had been taken.

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It was done while I was in your room.

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Mrs pond.

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The circumstances were exactly the same as those attending the other robberies.

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But I did not put it in the box.

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Exclaimed, Mrs Stevens.

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It was not among the jewels, which I found.

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She turned to Colonel Richmond.

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Her face was ghastly pale.

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I have scorned your belief she said, but now.

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I am convinced.

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No mortal being could have done this thing.

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What do you say to that?

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Mr.

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Carter cried the Colonel with flashing eyes.

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I would like to ask a few questions.

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Rejoined Nick.

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Were you alone when you put those jewels in the box?

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I was.

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Has it been in your possession ever since.

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It has not been out of my care.

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Did you tell anybody about the finding of the jewels?

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Nobody.

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Please describe everything that happened after you found them.

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I was of course, greatly agitated.

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I did not know what to do.

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For some time I sat staring at the jewels and trying to think what was my proper course.

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At last, I took this box from the drawer of my dressing table and put the jewels in it.

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Then I call to the servant who was in the dining room and asked her to see that the carriage was got ready for though.

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It is a long drive.

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I had resolved to make it because I felt safer in that way.

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Did you go out of your room to call the girl?

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Only into the hall.

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Who could have got in your room while you were out?

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Nobody.

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Where was your daughter?

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In her own room.

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How do you know.

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I called to her after I had dressed and she answered me.

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I told her that I was going to drive over here and she was very much surprised.

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I did not tell her why.

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Did you meet anybody on the way over who spoke to you or came to the side of your carriage?

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Nobody.

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That is all I wish to ask.

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In fact, Nick had no more questions.

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He was really at a loss for an explanation of this strange occurrence.

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If the pin had been taken from the room.

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By a person concealed in the house.

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It might've been possible that the person had escape from the grounds unseen and had given it to Mrs.

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Stephens.

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There was hardly time for such a trick to have been done, but in so strange a case, every possibility was to be considered.

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If such a thing had been done it must've been very near to the house.

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The thief must have known when Mrs.

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Stevens was coming or she must have waited for him just outside the Colonel's grounds.

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There was a place where the road was heavily fringed with trees, not more than a hundred yards from the Colonel's gate.

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The trick must have been done there.

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If at all.

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Nick resolve to settle this small point, if possible, immediately.

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It was of no use to ask the man who had driven Mrs.

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Steven's horse.

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Of course he would lie if there was any need of it.

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So Nick excused himself from the group on the pretext that he was going to search Mrs.

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Pond's rooms again.

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He remembered that just after Mrs.

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Stevens had arrived, a wagon belonging to the Colonel had driven into the grounds.

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He quietly looked up the two servants who had been in this wagon.

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They told him that they remembered seeing Mrs.

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Stevens drive up.

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She had passed them on the road.

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They had had her carriage insight for a mile before it turned into Colonel Richmond's grounds.

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Her horse had been driven at a good pace.

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It had not stopped.

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Nobody had approached the carriage.

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Nick was convinced that the men were telling the truth.

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Then how had Mrs.

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Stevens obtain that pin?

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Her possession of the other articles might've explained.

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But the pin was a stickler.

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Chapter four.

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Millie Stevens.

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After questioning the two men whom he had found in the stable, Nick walked toward the house.

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On the way he met Horace Richmond.

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And Mrs.

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Stevens has gone home.

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Said Horace.

00:15:06.789 --> 00:15:08.169
She would not remain for dinner.

00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:10.899
Although she has such a long ride before her.

00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:14.259
She seems terribly distressed by the strange affair.

00:15:14.750 --> 00:15:16.009
What did your uncle say to her?

00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:20.769
Not much, was the reply and I was a good deal surprised.

00:15:21.429 --> 00:15:25.240
He begged her not to be nervous about it and talked very pleasantly to her.

00:15:25.629 --> 00:15:28.360
But he steered clear of the matter of the jewels.

00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.909
I don't understand it.

00:15:30.269 --> 00:15:34.049
I thought he would insist upon what he calls a restitution of the property.

00:15:34.570 --> 00:15:36.350
Perhaps after all, said Nick.

00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:40.690
He isn't so far off his base on the ghost question, as you think he is.

00:15:41.110 --> 00:15:42.700
Don't you deceive yourself about that?

00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:49.710
He is just as sure that his aunt spirit removed those jewels as you are, that that house is resting on its foundations.

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:54.179
And I wouldn't try to shake his belief just now continued Horace seriously.

00:15:54.809 --> 00:15:57.299
Simply say nothing about the affair this evening.

00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:59.549
Uh, talk about something else to him.

00:15:59.970 --> 00:16:06.389
Stay with us as long as you can and quietly look the ground over, then tell me privately what you think.

00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.779
This advice seemed good to Nick.

00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:12.620
He passed a quiet evening in the house and nobody but Mrs.

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.269
Pawn referred to the robberies.

00:16:14.809 --> 00:16:16.700
Horace managed to quiet her quickly.

00:16:17.129 --> 00:16:21.629
But the next morning after breakfast, she came to Nick with a very long face.

00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.850
My father has been talking to me.

00:16:23.970 --> 00:16:30.269
She said, And I'm going to lose those jewels surely unless you do something and do it fairly quickly.

00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:33.899
I don't care for their value, but they're mine by right.

00:16:34.049 --> 00:16:40.440
And I mean, to keep them if I can, but of course I can't bear to make my father's life miserable.

00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:44.279
It will probably end by my compelling, my husband to let me give them up.

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:47.610
Nick had his doubts about the possibility of such a thing.

00:16:48.029 --> 00:16:50.940
And they were made certainties very soon afterward.

00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:53.730
Mr pond arrived unexpectedly.

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:59.889
When the story was told him, he danced the war dance as our young friend, Patsy might've expressed it.

00:17:00.409 --> 00:17:03.230
You don't seem to realize the importance of this matter.

00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:06.589
He exclaimed why it's a million dollar robbery.

00:17:06.589 --> 00:17:07.519
That's what it is.

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:13.039
If we give up the jewels, the colonel will give us their value.By Jingo, he'll have to.

00:17:13.430 --> 00:17:16.460
Well, what's that, but the theft of a million from him.

00:17:17.109 --> 00:17:21.339
Nick was compelled to confess that it was just that and nothing else.

00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:24.450
And who'll reap the proceeds continued pond.

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:27.119
Why the Stevenses of course.

00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:29.549
Nobody else gets anything out of it.

00:17:30.029 --> 00:17:33.940
They're playing on the Colonel superstitions for a million dollar stake.

00:17:34.470 --> 00:17:35.519
Now Mr.

00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:35.940
Carter.

00:17:36.269 --> 00:17:38.130
You go ahead and work this thing out.

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.539
Catch the thief.

00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:42.180
Don't let the Colonel get you out of the way.

00:17:42.369 --> 00:17:44.589
If there's a question of money, I'm good.

00:17:44.589 --> 00:17:46.180
For the best fee you can name.

00:17:46.789 --> 00:17:49.130
Nick's first move that day was to go to Mrs.

00:17:49.130 --> 00:17:50.029
Steven's house.

00:17:50.809 --> 00:17:52.670
She lived well on her small income.

00:17:53.269 --> 00:18:00.619
It was a nice old country house with grounds of considerable extent and a stable in which two good horses were kept.

00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:05.059
Nick rode over there on one of Colonel richmond's fine saddle horses.

00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:11.720
As the detective wrote up the winding shaded walk toward the house, he noticed a man servant just ahead of him.

00:18:12.589 --> 00:18:15.890
The servant had a newspaper and some letters in his hand.

00:18:16.490 --> 00:18:18.920
He seemed to have come from the village post office.

00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:22.890
Leaning over the railing of the veranda as if waiting for the servant.

00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:26.279
Was one of the handsomest girls Nick had ever seen.

00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:29.670
She was a beauty of the dashing dark eyed type.

00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:32.369
A girl of courage and strong will.

00:18:32.910 --> 00:18:36.269
The servant gave her the letters just as Nick had come into site.

00:18:36.750 --> 00:18:39.509
He not only gave her those, he had been carrying in his hand.

00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:44.789
But he drew one from his pocket with a motion that suggested secrecy.

00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:49.579
Nick rode up to the veranda, introduced himself and asked to see Mrs.

00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.150
Stephens.

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:53.180
Let James take your horse, said the girl.

00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.829
Come into the house.

00:18:54.829 --> 00:18:57.170
If you please, I will speak to my mother.

00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:59.960
Nick went into the cool and pretty parlor.

00:19:00.529 --> 00:19:00.829
Ms.

00:19:00.829 --> 00:19:04.309
Stevens left the room for a moment and then returned with her mother.

00:19:04.829 --> 00:19:10.799
The detective spoke of the occurrences of the day before and requested permission to see the room in which the jewelry had.

00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.299
So mysteriously appeared.

00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:15.740
While they were talking, thus it happened that Ms.

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:18.170
Stevens drew her handkerchief from her pocket.

00:19:18.529 --> 00:19:22.759
And as she did, so two little pieces of paper fell to the floor.

00:19:23.089 --> 00:19:26.180
So she's read that letter and torn it up so soon.

00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.099
Was Nick's silent comment.

00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.869
Almost immediately.

00:19:29.869 --> 00:19:30.140
Mrs.

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.920
Steven said.

00:19:31.150 --> 00:19:32.650
There's mail on the table, mother.

00:19:33.009 --> 00:19:34.180
I forgot to give it to you.

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:36.039
There are several letters.

00:19:36.609 --> 00:19:36.984
Mrs.

00:19:36.984 --> 00:19:38.650
Stevens glanced at the addresses.

00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.359
They are all for me.

00:19:40.450 --> 00:19:42.700
She said, was there nothing for you.

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:45.000
No indeed cried the girl.

00:19:45.210 --> 00:19:47.430
There's nobody who writes letters to me.

00:19:47.930 --> 00:19:49.329
Lies to her mother does she?

00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.859
Said Nick to himself.

00:19:51.430 --> 00:19:53.920
Well, It begins to look bad for her.

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:54.789
Ms.

00:19:54.789 --> 00:20:00.819
Stevens did not notice the bits of paper on the floor and Nick by clever work, succeeded in getting possession of them.

00:20:01.369 --> 00:20:02.210
Then by Mrs.

00:20:02.210 --> 00:20:03.079
Steven's permission.

00:20:03.410 --> 00:20:05.779
He went to look at the room already referred to.

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:14.410
No sooner was he there, then he got rid of the lady upon some plausible excuse and so had an opportunity of examining the bits of paper.

00:20:15.369 --> 00:20:18.369
They were ordinary letter paper, impossible to trace.

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.980
One bit was blank on both sides.

00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:25.089
The other bore, some queer little marks, but no writing.

00:20:25.750 --> 00:20:28.480
To Nick, the marks were quite clear.

00:20:28.930 --> 00:20:32.849
They were the dots and dashes of the Morse telegraphic, alphabet.

00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:35.039
They represented the letters.

00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:37.109
N T B.

00:20:37.410 --> 00:20:44.880
E T R A written very small on a narrow scrap, not more than an inch long.

00:20:45.430 --> 00:20:47.740
Don't betray muttered Nick.

00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.690
Worse and worse.

00:20:50.109 --> 00:20:50.380
Ms.

00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:52.509
Stevens will evidently bear watching.

00:20:53.829 --> 00:20:57.369
As to the room, his inspection of it was of little use.

00:20:57.910 --> 00:20:59.410
He had not expected much.

00:20:59.890 --> 00:21:01.000
He had come to see Ms.

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.990
Stevens principally.

00:21:02.390 --> 00:21:07.160
And in her case, the investigation had certainly begun better than he could have reasonably expected.

00:21:07.849 --> 00:21:10.250
She was engaged in some secret affair.

00:21:10.849 --> 00:21:12.740
She concealed letters from her mother.

00:21:13.069 --> 00:21:14.900
She had bribed one of the servants.

00:21:15.410 --> 00:21:19.309
This last fact was proven by the matter in which the letter had been delivered to her.

00:21:19.809 --> 00:21:22.839
As he was turning these matters over in his mind Mrs.

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.910
Stevens and her daughter entered the room.

00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.609
What have you discovered Mr.

00:21:26.609 --> 00:21:27.059
Carter?

00:21:27.509 --> 00:21:28.230
Asked the girl.

00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:34.589
You must know that my mother has told me all about this strange affair and I am deeply interested.

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.289
I have learned nothing.

00:21:36.789 --> 00:21:37.269
said Nick.

00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:41.809
Except that this room could be easily entered, even when the doors are locked.

00:21:42.349 --> 00:21:45.660
Uh, take this door leading to the rear room, for instance.

00:21:46.289 --> 00:21:47.670
The key was on this side.

00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.390
It is true.

00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.519
But it turns very easily.

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:55.769
A person with a pair of nippers could get in without trouble and lock the door afterward.

00:21:56.190 --> 00:22:01.259
I can't tell from the appearance of the key, whether or not this was done, but I think it probable.

00:22:01.730 --> 00:22:06.950
You mean that somebody came in here while mother was at lunch and put the jewels where they were found.

00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.009
Exactly.

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:10.029
But who could it have been?

00:22:10.549 --> 00:22:12.859
I don't know, answered Nick, frankly.

00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:16.609
And how do you explain the presence of that other pin in the box?

00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.589
Asked Mrs.

00:22:17.589 --> 00:22:18.130
Stevens.

00:22:19.029 --> 00:22:21.170
There is an explanation said Nick.

00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:23.500
But I prefer not to give it now.

00:22:23.970 --> 00:22:26.670
As you please responded the lady haughtily.

00:22:27.390 --> 00:22:33.180
I can only say that I trust you will find this thief, speedily and end this annoyance to which we are being subjected.

00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:36.410
I don't think it ought to be hard for a person of your abilities.

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.384
Said, Ms.

00:22:37.384 --> 00:22:37.700
Stephens.

00:22:38.150 --> 00:22:39.769
I have already solved the puzzle.

00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.730
Hmm.

00:22:41.089 --> 00:22:42.859
And who is the guilty person?

00:22:43.430 --> 00:22:44.569
Asked Nick with a smile.

00:22:45.109 --> 00:22:46.849
Well, Colonel Richmond, of course.

00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.380
Why should he do this?

00:22:48.944 --> 00:22:50.420
because he is crazy.

00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.890
That's reason enough.

00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.720
I'd like to hear you explain your theory a little further.

00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.799
Why Mr.

00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.690
Carter I'm surprised at you.

00:22:58.349 --> 00:23:01.170
Is there any motive for this so-called crime?

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.220
No.

00:23:02.730 --> 00:23:05.460
Then it must be a crazy person's work.

00:23:06.089 --> 00:23:08.279
Is there more than one lunatic among us?

00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.809
Certainly not.

00:23:10.109 --> 00:23:14.819
So as two and two, make four, and the sun does not rise in the west.

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.920
Colonel Richmond is the man.

00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:20.069
What kind of a detective you think I'd make.

00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.549
There isn't one alive who could compare with you.

00:23:23.750 --> 00:23:24.319
said Nick.

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.980
You're joking.

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.990
No I'm serious.

00:23:28.470 --> 00:23:31.680
There are plenty of detectives who can reason up to the wrong man.

00:23:31.950 --> 00:23:35.730
But none I'm sure who can do it so quickly as you can.

00:23:36.170 --> 00:23:36.545
Mrs.

00:23:36.545 --> 00:23:40.490
Stevens laughed at her daughter's discomfiture and the girl joined heartedly.

00:23:40.930 --> 00:23:43.329
Now supposing for a moment that your theory is true.

00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.289
Continued Nick.

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:48.339
How do you suppose at Colonel Richmond managed to get the jewels over here?

00:23:48.829 --> 00:23:50.569
The girl became serious in a moment.

00:23:50.950 --> 00:23:53.440
This is a very delicate subject.

00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.190
She said.

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:57.400
I hate to cast suspicion upon anyone.

00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.960
Oh, you refer to the new servant of course.

00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:03.759
Well, we know nothing of the girl said, Mrs.

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.180
Stevens.

00:24:04.569 --> 00:24:09.279
And of course when anything so strange happens in the house, we naturally think of her.

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:12.880
She brought good references and she certainly looks honest.

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:16.220
Did she have an opportunity to put the jewels into this room?

00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:19.680
As to that, I have talked it over with my daughter.

00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:23.130
And it seems just possible that the girl could have done it.

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:25.529
I thought at first that it was not.

00:24:25.730 --> 00:24:28.490
Of course it was possible exclaimed, Ms.

00:24:28.490 --> 00:24:28.819
Stevens.

00:24:29.150 --> 00:24:31.609
She could have run up the backstairs at any time.

00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:36.230
She proceeded to explain this theory until it seemed quite plausible.

00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:43.009
And yet all the time she was filling the detective's mind with the blackest suspicions against herself.

00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.990
Here was the case.

00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:49.430
The plotters were trying to work on Colonel Richmond's superstitions.

00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:52.339
A celebrated detective had been called in.

00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:55.339
If he succeeded the plotters failed.

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.799
And the Stevenson's lost their jewels.

00:24:58.299 --> 00:25:03.069
What more natural than that the criminals should wish to throw the detective on a wrong scent.

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:09.750
Was it not to be expected that they should pitch upon this new service as the best person with whom to deceive Nick.

00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:11.910
Altogether Ms.

00:25:11.910 --> 00:25:15.000
Stephens was making out of very strong case.

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:16.589
Against herself.

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:22.200
Okay, what is going on here?

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:25.200
Is our master detective actually stumped.

00:25:25.650 --> 00:25:28.079
How are all these strange things happening?

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:33.180
Is Millie Stevens really plotting this whole thing just to drive Colonel Richmond insane.

00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:37.230
Or who could be behind this ghostly encounter?

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:43.920
Well tune in next time for another thrilling episode of Nick Carter's ghost story.

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:52.230
Once again, I want to give a huge shout out to the good folks at project Gutenberg for providing this fine story for me to share with you.

00:25:52.769 --> 00:25:58.829
All their eBooks are available for you or anyone to download and enjoy completely free.

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:01.410
Don't forget the support, the show gang.

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:08.069
When you support the show through the support, the show link, or the buy me a coffee link on our main webpage.

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:11.160
You helped support project Gutenberg as well.

00:26:11.549 --> 00:26:16.950
As I will always donate a portion back to them for providing such wonderful stories to share.

00:26:17.190 --> 00:26:19.170
And there are thousands.

00:26:19.710 --> 00:26:22.049
Okay until next time, guys.

00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.369
Thanks for listening.

00:26:23.490 --> 00:26:27.059
Keep sharing the stories and be a good human.

00:26:27.390 --> 00:26:28.500
Bye for now.