CHAPTER VI.
MR. BARNES'S TRAP.
It must not be supposed from what has been related, that Mr. Barnes hadlost any of his old time skill. That he did not yet quite understand thecase upon which he was working, is little to be wondered at when it isremembered that less than two days had elapsed since the robbery hadoccurred, and that a great part of this time he had necessarily beenabsent from the city upon another case.
After his disappointment at discovering that the button which he hadfound was less valuable than he had at first supposed, he had decidedupon a mode of procedure from which he hoped to gain much. He had seenmany men flinch when brought unexpectedly into the presence of theirmurdered victim. He knew that many in a fit of passion, or even in coldblood, might have the nerve to take human life. Few resisted a shudderwhen shown the ghastly, mutilated, perhaps decomposing corpse. When heleft the hotel that morning it was about ten o'clock. Whilst he had beenconvinced by Mr. Mitchel that the button found at the scene of themurder was not one of the original set, or rather that it could not beproven that it had been, he was equally satisfied, that the fact thatit presented a portrait of Miss Remsen was significant. Thus, after all,it was possible that Mr. Mitchel had murdered the woman, or at least hehad visited the apartment. In either case, supposing that he knew thewoman was dead, it would be idle to take him up three flights of stairsto confront him with the body, for that would give him ample premonitionof what was about to occur, and he would readily control hiscountenance. This is what the detective did:
He went at once to the coroner, and told him enough to have him renderhis assistance. Therefore during the time which had elapsed, the coronerhad impanelled a jury, taken them to the scene of the crime, and thenadjourned the inquest, leaving the doctors to perform the autopsy. Thebody had been taken down to a room on the first floor which openeddirectly on the main hall. Here it was laid out upon a table, so placedthat the gaping wound and now hideous face would at once meet the gazeof any one entering. The doctors had been instructed to postpone theirwork until the arrival of the detective. Thus Mr. Barnes knew, as he ledthe way down stairs, that his trap was set. As they reached the mainhall, he spoke:
"Gentlemen, I am about to ask a favor of you. You were both on the trainwhen the robbery was committed. There is a question in relation to itwhich I should like to ask both of you, and hear each answer separately.Would you oblige me?"
"With pleasure," said the Frenchman.
"I have already told you that you may ask me any questions," said Mr.Mitchel.
"Thank you." Turning to the hall-boy, who of course had been taught hispart, he continued: "Can we find a room where we can talk privately fora few minutes?"
"Yes sir; step this way," and the boy led them towards the one where thecorpse lay.
"Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "will you wait a few minutes? I will notdetain you long." Mr. Mitchel bowed, and the Frenchman followed thedetective into the room, the boy closing the door after them. Nothingwas to be seen save the table bearing the body, the doctors being hiddenin a room beyond. Mr. Barnes stopped near the corpse and simply gazedsteadfastly at Mr. Thauret, who in turn looked intently at the murderedwoman. Not a muscle moved to show any agitation. Mr. Barnes waited; butapparently nothing was to happen; yet he was determined that the othershould speak first, that he might draw some deduction from his words.Therefore he maintained a stolid silence. Two minutes passed, whichseemed an age, and then the Frenchman gave the detective a genuinesurprise. Looking him straight in the eyes he said in the coolest tonesimaginable:
"How did you discover that I am a physician?"
"I don't understand you," said Mr. Barnes, not knowing what the man wasaiming at.
"Mr. Barnes, you brought me into this room saying that you wished to askme a question. When I entered and saw this corpse, I knew at once thatyour pretended questioning was but a subterfuge. I wondered why youbrought me in here, and whilst thinking it out, I kept silent. So haveyou. Very good. All I can make of it is, that this woman having beenmurdered, and knowing that I am a physician, you wished an expertopinion in the case. I wondered how you had discovered that I have amedical education, and so I asked you the question. Do I make myselfplain?"
"Quite so," said the detective, coldly, and much disappointed. "My replymust be that I did not know you to be a physician, and that I did bringyou in here to ask a question."
"Indeed! Then what is it?"
"I wish you to tell me who this woman is."
"You overrate my ability. I never saw the woman before. Is thereanything more you wish to say?"
"Nothing."
"Then I will wish you good-morning." With a polite bow, and drawing onhis glove, Mr. Thauret started to leave the room. Mr. Barnes quicklystepped in front of him, determined that he should not have a chance towarn Mr. Mitchel. Opening the door, he then let him pass, thus keepinghis eyes on the two others. Mr. Thauret bowed formally to Mr. Mitcheland passed out. Then the latter followed Mr. Barnes into the presence ofthe dead woman. If Mr. Thauret was undisturbed at the sight which methim, it was not so with Mr. Mitchel. He had scarcely observed what wasbefore him, than with an ejaculation of horror he stepped closer to thecorpse and exclaimed:
"My God, Mr. Barnes, what does this mean?"
"What does what mean?" said Mr. Barnes, quietly.
The two men stared at one another a few moments, when Mr. Mitchel,suddenly lowering his eyes said, "I'm a fool," and once more turned tolook at the corpse. Presently he turned and said, with all of his oldtime composure:
"You said you wished to ask me a question! What is it?"
"I wish you to tell me who this woman is?"
"Was, I suppose you mean. She was Rose Mitchel."
"Ah! Did you know her?"
"I agreed to answer but one question. I have done so."
"You have admitted that you knew her."
"You will find it difficult to prove that."
"Oh, shall I? I have witnesses. Gentlemen, please come forward." A doorat the farther end of the room opened, and two physicians entered. Thedetective continued, "What have you to say now?"
"That I am most profoundly indebted to you for having enabled me toprove what has happened, and also that you have so soon let me know thatwe are not alone." Mr. Barnes bit his lip at this taunt, and Mr.Mitchel, turning to the doctors, continued, "Gentlemen, I am delightedto know that you have overheard what has occurred. You may be calledupon to give testimony. If you will remember, I think that you willadmit that Mr. Barnes asked me who this woman is. Correcting hisgrammar I replied, 'She was Rose Mitchel.' Am I accurate?"
"Quite so," said one of the doctors.
"Mr. Barnes claims that I have admitted that I knew the woman. I claimthat I have merely admitted that I knew her name, which is a verydifferent thing."
"You admitted more than that," said the detective testily, "for you musthave known more than her name to be able to give a name to this deadbody."
"You are quite right, Mr. Barnes, I must also have known her face. Inthe same way I know both name and face of Lillian Russell. Were I toidentify her dead body, would that prove that I was a personalacquaintance?"
"Certainly not, but you cannot claim that this woman was known to you inthat way, for she was not a public character."
"How do you know that?"
"Well then, was she?"
"That is another question, and I decline to answer it, at least beforewitnesses. If you will walk with me as far as my hotel I will do thebest I can to explain to you how I could identify this corpse withouthaving been acquainted with the woman herself."
"Of course I will go with you, for explain this you must"; and togetherthe two men left the building.
They walked across to Fifth Avenue and down that thoroughfare forseveral blocks in silence. Mr. Mitchel was evidently thinking over theposition in which he found himself, and Mr. Barnes was satisfied not tohasten the explanation. He thus gave himself time to make a few mentalnotes, which if written d
own would have read as follows:
"Why did both of these men start when I said that the jewels were hiddenoff the train. It might be because both knew that to be a fact. If afact, Thauret might have known it, because he himself may be the thief.In that case, either Mitchel is an accomplice, or he saw the other manhide the satchel at some station. Could Mitchel himself have hidden thesatchel? How could he have done so when I watched his section all night,unless of course I fell asleep, which is not probable. It follows thenthat I must discover what acquaintanceship exists between these men, inorder to determine whether they are in league together.
"Next, as to the murder. It is odd to find both men possessing the meansof admittance to the house. It is odd that both were undisturbed andplainly incredulous when I suggested that the woman might have beenmurdered to obtain the jewels. If Thauret killed the woman his demeanorin the presence of the corpse was simply miraculous. He showed not theleast agitation. On the other hand he admitted that he has a medicaleducation. Physicians are less excited by cadavers, and what is moresignificant, a physician would know how to find the jugular vein with apen-knife. Still it is not difficult to sever that vessel withoutspecial knowledge. As to Mitchel, his behavior is more mysterious. Hadhe committed the crime, knowing his extraordinary ability to controlhis emotions, I had a right to expect him to be calm before the corpse.Yet he was much excited, and went towards the body for a closerscrutiny. Murderers usually shrink away from their victims. In spite ofthat he gave the woman's name, and it tallies with that which sheherself had claimed. Now, if he was willing to tell me the name, and ifhe committed the crime, why did he remove the names from all thegarments? Why, unless Rose Mitchel is an alias, and the real name isthus kept secret? I may ask him some of these questions."
At this point Mr. Mitchel addressed his companion:
"Mr. Barnes, I should like to know of what you have been thinking as wewalked, and I suppose you have a similar curiosity regarding my ownthoughts. I mean to gratify you. I have been endeavoring to view my ownposition from your point of view, to guess what your deductions are frommy behavior in the presence of that dead woman."
"I cannot give you my deductions," said Mr. Barnes, "for the simplereason that I have adopted none as yet. It has always been my practiceto avoid deciding upon a theory too early. A detective with a theorywill invariably be tempted to work to prove his assumption. I work todiscover the truth. Therefore I avoid theories."
"Good! I see that my opinion of detectives, as expressed in theconversation which you overheard, must be modified. I still think I amright in the main, but you are an exception to the general rule."
"Mr. Mitchel, I don't care for compliments. You are at present in avery suspicious position. You said you could explain how you were ableto identify that woman."
"I will do so. First let me state that I never saw her but once beforein my life. The story is very short. I have been in this city less thantwo years. I became engaged to Miss Remsen last winter. About a monthlater I received a letter signed Rose Mitchel, which informed me thatthe writer could divulge a secret in relation to my family which wouldcause Miss Remsen to break with me. A price was named for silence, and aphotograph enclosed that I might be able to recognize the woman, for sheboldly announced that she would call in person for the money. She didso, and I have never seen her again till to-day."
"Can you prove this story?"
"I will show you the letter and the photograph if you will come with meto the Garfield Safety Vaults."
"I will go with you at once. Did you pay the money demanded?"
"I did."
"Do you not know that it is suspicious for a man to submit to blackmail?It tends to prove that he is in the blackmailer's power."
"That is correct. I was in this woman's power."
"That is a serious admission, now that she has been murdered."
"I know it. But here we are at the vaults."
The two men entered the building, and Mr. Mitchel obtained the key tohis compartment. He never took it away from the place, for he thought itsafer in the keeping of the officers of the vaults. Descending into thegreat strong room, he took a tin box from his drawer, and then went intoa little private room provided with a table and chairs. Opening the boxhe took out several packages which he laid on one side. Amongst thesethe detective was amazed to see a red Russia-leather case bound aroundwith a strap, upon which appeared the name MITCHEL, in gold letters.Could it be possible that this was the case containing the missingjewels?
"Ah! Here it is," said Mr. Mitchel. "Here is the photograph." He handedit to Mr. Barnes, who saw at once that it was the picture of the deadwoman. "And here is the letter. Shall I read it to you?" Mr. Barnesassented with a nod. His thoughts were mainly upon the red leather case.Mr. Mitchel read aloud:
"MR. R. MITCHEL, "DEAR SIR:
"You will be surprised to receive this from one, of whom perhaps you know little, but who knows much concerning your family. So much, that were she to tell all she knows, your high-toned sweetheart would send you adrift in a jiffy. Some say that silence is golden. So it must be in this case. If you wish me to keep silent, you must be ready to pay me ten thousand dollars on Thursday night, when I shall call for it. I send my photograph, that you may know I am the writer when I call. You see I am not afraid to do this, because if you call in the police, I will simply tell my story and you will be ruined. I may go to jail, but that does not worry me much, as there are worse places. So be ready to receive me on Thursday night. Yours truly, "ROSE MITCHEL."
Mr. Mitchel handed the above to Mr. Barnes, who read it over carefully,examining the envelope and postmark, both of which proved that theletter was genuine and a year old.
"Did you give her the amount demanded?" asked Mr. Barnes.
"I must explain what I did. When I received that letter, it was plainthat there would be nothing to lose by receiving the woman and hearingher story. I determined not to give her any money; therefore, when shecalled, of course I did not have any such sum. After listening to her Ichanged my mind. I found that, through certain papers which she had, andwhich she did not hesitate to show me, she would be able to ventilate ascandal which might result just as she adroitly prophesied. I mean inthe rupture of my engagement. Naturally I wished to avoid that. When Itold her that she should have the money if she would call again, shebecame furious. Said I had tricked her, and now wanted a chance to handher over to the police, etc. I saw that I must settle with her at once,and did so on these terms. I agreed to give her cash enough to go toEurope, and the balance in jewels."
"In jewels?" cried Mr. Barnes, startled.
"Yes, in jewels. You are surprised; but that is because you do not knowmy hobby. I am a collector of jewels. I have half a million dollars'worth in these vaults. Therefore, whilst I had no such amount in cash asten thousand dollars, I could easily give her three diamond rings, whichI did, with a letter to a Paris jeweller, who would purchase them fromher. Thus was I rid of the woman, part of the agreement being that sheshould never return."
"Mr. Mitchel, a man of your intelligence must have known that suchpromises are not kept by that class of people."
"True, but I obtained from her all the documentary evidence which shehad, so that I rendered her powerless to annoy me further. You saidawhile ago that it was a serious admission for me to make that I was inthis woman's power. I suppose you meant that such a fact supplied amotive for this murder. Now you see that this is not true since I canprove that I released myself from that position a year ago."
"How can you prove that?"
"I have the woman's receipt, in which she states that for the sum of tenthousand dollars or its equivalent, she delivers to me family documents,etc."
"Have you the documents still?"
"I prefer not to reply to that question."
"Very good, but answer me this one. Where did you obtain this leathercase, a
nd what does it contain?" As he said this the detective pickedup the case and held it before Mr. Mitchel's eyes. That gentleman wasevidently confused for a moment, but finally answered:
"It contains some jewels."
"Jewels? That is what I thought. May I examine them?"
"Not with my permission."
"Then I must do so without," and with a quick movement the case lay openon the table. It was lined with black satin, and contained gems similarto those described in the paper found in the dead woman's pocket. Whatseemed more important however, was a piece of writing-paper upon whichMr. Barnes found an exact copy of the list and description which he hadin his pocket. The detective noticed with astonishment that though Mr.Mitchel had refused to permit this examination of the contents of thecase, he made no effort to prevent it, and now sat back looking on inthe most unconcerned way.
"Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "why did you object to my looking intothis case?"
"I never show my jewels to--strangers. It is wrong to tempt people."
"You are impertinent, sir! What do you mean?"
"I mean that I regulate my life by rule. This is one of my rules, andthough I do not doubt your honesty, you are a stranger to me and so comewithin the operation of my rule."
"Your cool impudence will not avail you in this instance. These are thestolen jewels."
"Indeed! Do you discover that, as you claim to have detected the thief,simply by looking at them?" Mr. Mitchel assumed that sarcastic tonewhich had several times irritated the detective.
"Have done with child's play," said Mr. Barnes. "I have a list of thelost jewels, and this case with its contents accurately matches thedescription. What is more, this list in your possession, is thefac-simile, of the one which I have in my pocket."
"Ah! Now we come to tangible facts and leave the realm of psychology,"said Mr. Mitchel leaning forward, with evident interest. "Let meunderstand this. You have a list of the stolen jewels. That paper is afac-simile of this one here. The description too tallies with the caseand jewels. Is that right?"
"That is quite right. Now can your remarkable inventive faculty fashiona story to meet this emergency?"
"Mr. Barnes, you do me an injustice. I am no romancer. That is thedifference between myself and the criminal class, with which you deal.Those poor devils commit a crime and depend upon a sequence of lies toclear themselves. On the contrary I follow this rule: 'Refuse to answerall questions, or else answer truthfully.' Now in this case there aresome points, as puzzling to me as to yourself. Them I shall not attemptto explain. One of them is how you can possibly have a duplicate list ofmy jewels, for these are mine I assure you."
"Here is the list," said the detective, taking it from his pocket andcomparing it with the other; "and by heavens," he continued, "thewriting is the same."
"That is interesting, let me look," said Mr. Mitchel. With which hearose, walked around to the other side of the table and stood leaningover the detective. "You see, I do not ask you to let me take your paperfrom you. You might suspect that I would destroy it." Mr. Barnes handedboth papers to him without a word. Mr. Mitchel bowed as he took them andreturned to his seat. After a moment's careful examination he handedthem back saying:
"I agree with you, Mr. Barnes. The writing is the same. What deductiondo you draw from that fact?"
"What deduction! Why I found this description of the stolen jewels inthe pocket of a dress belonging to Rose Mitchel."
"What? Do you mean to say that she was the woman who was robbed?" Theblank amazement upon Mr. Mitchel's face disconcerted Mr. Barnes, for ifhe did not know this, the mystery seemed deeper than ever.
"Do you mean that you did not know it?" asked Mr. Barnes.
"How should I know it?"
This caused a silence. Both men stopped a moment to consider thesituation. At length Mr. Barnes said coldly:
"Mr. Mitchel, I am under the painful necessity of placing you underarrest."
"Upon what charge?"
"Upon the charge of having stolen jewels, and perhaps of havingmurdered Rose Mitchel."
"Are you in a hurry to take me with you?" asked Mr. Mitchel coolly.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because if not, I should like to ask you one or two questions."
"You may do so."
"First, then, as the robbery was committed on a moving train, will youtell me how you suppose it to have been accomplished, since thepassengers were searched?" Mr. Barnes had his own idea on this subjectwhich he did not choose to tell. He thought it well, however, to pretendthat he had still another theory. At least he could observe how Mr.Mitchel received it.
"As you say, all were searched. The first was Mr. Thauret. Nothing wasfound. Let us suppose a case. This man Thauret was in the same carriagewith the woman Rose Mitchel. When the train stopped at New Haven,suppose that he took the satchel, left the train and passed it to youthrough the window of your section, thinking that only his carriagewould be searched. After his own examination, he left the train atStamford. Why may he not have tapped upon your window and have receivedback the satchel?"
"That would make him my accomplice. You are wrong. I do not know the manat all."
"You admitted having met him when Miss Dora Remsen introduced him toyou."
"Once only. At a gaming table. That is why I was displeased to see himin the home of my intended. Passing the robbery then, for despite mydenial you may think your explanation correct, and a jury might agreewith you, let us come to the murder. Do you suppose a man would make awager to commit a crime, and then go to the extreme of killing a woman."
"I do not! But having committed the robbery, and then having discoveredthat this woman, who you say has blackmailed you, had actually taken anapartment in the same building with your affianced, you may have gonethere to urge her to leave, and have killed her to save yourself."
"Plainly you do not know me. There is one point in what you say which isinteresting. Did I understand that this woman had an apartment in theThirtieth Street building."
"Certainly, and you knew it."
"You are mistaken. Let us return to the jewels. You think that these arethe missing gems. If I prove to the contrary, will you agree not toplace me under arrest?"
"With pleasure," said the detective, feeling safe in the idea that whatMr. Mitchel offered to do was an impossibility.
"Thank you. That gives me my freedom, in exchange for which courtesy Ipromise you all the assistance in my power in finding the murderer."Saying which Mr. Mitchel touched an electric-button and when it wasanswered sent a message up-stairs asking Mr. Charles to come down. In afew moments, that gentleman appeared.
"Mr. Charles," said Mr. Mitchel, "would it be possible for me to enterthese vaults without your knowledge?"
"It would be impossible for any one to enter here without my knowledge,"said Mr. Charles.
"You keep my key, do you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have I ever taken it out of this building."
"No, sir."
"Then you think it impossible that I should have been able to have aduplicate key, and to have entered here without your knowledge?"
"An utter impossibility, sir."
"Can you remember when I was here last?"
"Certainly. It was about two weeks ago, when you told me that you weregoing to Boston."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Charles. That is all." Mr. Charles retired andMr. Mitchel looked at Mr. Barnes with a smile, saying:
"You see you are wrong again. The jewels were stolen yesterday morning,and I have not been to this place since, and therefore could not haveplaced them in this box. Are you satisfied?"
"No. If you were able to commit the robbery on the train, whilst Iwatched your section all night, and to have succeeded in getting thejewels away although you were searched, you are ingenious enough to havefound a way of getting here without the knowledge of Mr. Charles. Or,he may be paid to lie for you. I feel too sure that these are the gems,to be so readily convinced to the con
trary."
"So you did watch me that night. Well, I am sorry you had so muchtrouble. I must give you further proof? Very good. Examine these." Hetook out a package of letters and from them extracted a bill-of-sale,dated five years previous, in which was once more an accuratedescription of the jewels and case. In addition there was pinned to it areceipt from the New York Custom House for the duties paid, which paperwas also dated back. This was evidence which Mr. Barnes could notrefute. Plainly this particular set of jewels belonged to Mr. Mitchel.
"That is sufficient. It would be folly to arrest you when you could showthose documents to any judge and be released. At the same time, I shallnot forget the coincidence of these two lists, and that one of thebutton."
"By the way, Mr. Barnes, would you mind saying where you found thatbutton?"
"In the room where the woman was murdered."
"No wonder you valued it. I am surprised that you should have presentedit to Miss Remsen." There was a twinkle in Mr. Mitchel's eye whichannoyed Mr. Barnes, but he made no reply. Mr. Mitchel continued:
"In consideration of your not placing me under arrest, Mr. Barnes, Iwill give you a hint. I made that wager with my friend Randolphyesterday morning, that is to say December 2d. I have until January 2d,to commit the crime about which the bet was made. Should you come to theconclusion that I am not guilty of either of those now engaging yourattention, it might enter your head that I still have a crime on hand,and it might pay you to watch me. Do you catch the idea?"
"There is little danger of your committing any crime during the nextmonth without my knowing of it," said Mr. Barnes.
"Now let us change the subject. Do you see this ruby?" taking a largeruby from the case before them. "I am thinking of having it set as apresent to Miss Remsen. Will she not be envied when she wears it?"