_ CHAPTER X
OSCAR MAKES A THOROUGH SEARCH OF THE HOUSE, AND AT FIRST ONLY FINDS CERTAIN CLEWS, BUT IN THE END HE MAKES A GREAT DISCOVERY.
Dudie Dunne, having a certain purpose to carry out, paid little heed to the girl's disconsolate remarks. He knew that she would be all right in the end. He commenced and searched that house from top to bottom, and found many little articles which he put aside for future reference. He also made notes of several matters, and finally, concluding his search, he returned to the room where he had left the girl Caroline. He found her sitting on a chair, her head cast down, and she was evidently lost in deep thought. "Come," he said, "we will go."
"We will go?"
"Yes."
"You intend to keep me a prisoner?"
"Yes, for the present, and for your own safety. Some very startling events are transpiring, and it is necessary for your own safety that you should be in a safe place."
The detective led the girl to the home of a woman who had once been a prison matron. She was a very able woman. He placed the girl Caroline in this woman's charge with full instructions how to act. He had permitted the girl to take what she desired from the house, but to his surprise she took but very little--none of the elegant clothes---none of the gems; even the ring she wore on her finger she cast upon the bureau. Our hero did not urge her to take anything, but he did secure these gems, holding them for future identification.
On the day following the incidents we have described, Oscar visited headquarters and learned that the chief had received a telegram stating that a representative of the illustrious Roman family was already on his way to New York and would probably arrive almost any day.
"He must have started for New York immediately following the sending of the cablegram."
"Yes."
"You telegraphed no particulars."
"No, I suppose they believe we have certain clews, and instead of writing they have determined to come direct to New York."
"So much the better. I believe we will have some very startling news for this representative when he arrives."
The chief and Oscar had some further conversation, the nature of which will be explained later on.
Several days passed and our hero devoted himself to one object. He tried to trail down Alphonse Donetti. In the meantime he held an interview with Alice Frewen. He had discovered the extraordinary interest of that fair, innocent, but resolute girl in the young Frenchman, and he sought to prepare her for the terrible revelations that were to come. Oscar was thoroughly convinced that young Donetti was a villain of the worst type and the confederate of villains. He was convinced that the young man had been concerned in the Roman robbery.
One evening he called at the home of Mrs. Frewen. The latter was out, but Alice came down to meet the officer. Her manner was like one under a great mental strain.
"What have you learned?" she asked.
"Miss Frewen," said our hero, "I wish you would let me know just the extent of your interest in this young man."
"My interest in him is kept alive because of my absolute belief in his innocence. I believe he has been wronged from his cradle. I believe that under terrible temptations he has remained honorable and true."
"But has he not to your knowledge led a rather fast life in Paris?"
"I have no proof that he has."
"Answer me one more question: Have you communicated with him since he has been in America?"
The girl started and exclaimed:
"Then you know he is in America?"
"Yes, I have the most positive proof that he is in America."
"Have you seen him?"
"Yes, I have seen him."
"Why do you not tell me all about it?"
"Because I do not know how deeply I may wound you if I tell you the whole truth."
"If the truth, as you term it, is a reflection upon his honor you need not fear to tell me, for I know that you have been misled."
"You are firm in your trust in his honor and good character?"
"I am."
"Poor girl! you are infatuated and deceived."
"You may think so."
"I have the proofs."
"Satisfactory to you, no doubt, but not proofs after all."
"I know he is associated with vile characters."
"I don't doubt it," came the answer.
"You don't doubt it?"
"No."
The detective gazed aghast as he exclaimed:
"And you still maintain his integrity?"
"I do."
"I cannot understand."
"No; some day you will understand it."
"I saw him attempt a crime. I prevented him from committing what I believe would have been a murder."
"Not a murder," replied Alice.
Oscar Dunne was no fool, but he was perplexed, for he discovered at last that the girl Alice possessed certain information that she was withholding.
"There is something you know that you have not revealed to me."
"I know that Alphonse is an honorable man and incapable of committing a crime."
"You had better reveal everything to me."
"I have revealed all there is to reveal. He is an honorable man, and in the end will establish his character before the world. He has a powerful enemy, one who should be his first friend, but the day will come when his honor will be fully vindicated, and he will stand before the world with a splendid reputation. I know it, and now all I can say to you is, hold your judgment until the denouement."
When Oscar left the presence of Alice he had subject for considerable meditation. "That girl knows something," he said. He walked along thinking over the dialogue, when suddenly his attention was attracted by a struggle. He saw several men slashing at each other with knives, as he recognized by occasional bright steel gleams under the gaslight. He always carried his club with him. He ran forward and, seeing two against one, went for the two who he observed were the assailants, while the other was acting on the defensive. Oscar drew his club, and the men were so intent upon their scheme of murder they did not mind his approach, but two raps from his club sent both to the ground, and when they regained their feet they made off, while our hero sought to learn the cause of the attack from the party who had been assailed.
The man had staggered up against a railing in front of a house and his drooping attitude revealed to our hero that he was wounded.
"You are injured," said our hero.
"Yes, the cowards came upon me from behind and plunged their knives into me."
Oscar approached closer to the man and with a start that almost caused him to utter an unguarded exclamation he recognized the wounded man as Alphonse Donetti.
"You had better let me take you to a hospital."
"No, I am much obliged. I will not go to a hospital. I can take care of myself. If I live you will have saved my life, for they intended to finish me. I thank you for your intervention. I will be able to reach my home and will send for a surgeon."
"Permit me to call a carriage, and I will accompany you to your home."
The wounded man looked closely at our hero, saw that he was a gentleman, and said:
"Yes, I need some one to close my eyes. You appear to be a kind man; if it is not too much trouble secure a carriage."
Oscar did not have to go far before he found a carriage, and when he returned he found the young man still alive and apparently, under all the circumstances, singularly strong.
He assisted him into the carriage and asked:
"Where shall we drive?"
"I don't know. I'll not go to my hotel in this condition; it will occasion too much talk."
"Will you let me take you to a lodging where your condition will not attract attention?"
"Yes; I will see that you are well remunerated."
Oscar and several of the detectives had a house, an emergency house they called it. It was the very house to which he had taken Caroline Metti. He told the driver where to go and in a few moments the carriage came to a halt. Our hero discharged the coach and assisted his companion into the house, led him up the stairs to a room on the second floor, and Mrs. Keller, the woman, appeared to ask if she could be of any service.
"I will summon you if I need you," was the answer.
In the carriage the wounded man had said:
"Do not send for a physician until I learn the full extent of my wound."
Once in the room the young man looked at our hero and at once exclaimed:
"What! you?"
"Aha! you have seen me before!"
"I have."
"When and where?"
"We will not discuss it now. We will look at my wound."
The young man tore off his clothing, and going to a mirror began to look himself over. He was as cool as though merely looking for a wart. Oscar also was cool and aided in the examination.
The young man Alphonse Donetti, after a moment, said:
"I am fortunate."
"You are?"
"See, it is not a bad wound; the rascal meant to drive the knife through my heart from behind. He has merely driven his blade deep into my shoulder. I can take care of this wound myself. I do not need a surgeon."
The young man gave directions--indeed he appeared to know as well what to do as a surgeon; and one fact impressed itself upon our hero's mind: the fact that the wounded man was prepared to take great chances for his life without the aid of a physician, and this circumstance in itself was very suspicious, and, coupled with facts known to our hero, only confirmed the worst suspicious that had arisen in his mind. He followed directions, however, and the wound in a little time was properly attended to, and then seating himself in a chair Alphonse asked with perfect coolness:
"Is it convenient to you for me to remain in this room for a few days?"
"Yes."
"I will tell you frankly," said Alphonse, "I wish to avoid observation; in fact, I wish to conceal myself for a little time, especially until I recover, and if it is convenient for me to remain here this is very fortunate for me."
Oscar studied the young man's face and was forced to admit that he saw no signs of the villain. Indeed it was a singularly refined face, a classic face, more, a princely face.
"You may think it all very strange," said Alphonse.
"Yes, it is to me."
"It is strange to me that
you, of all men, should have been the one to save my life. I owe my life to you. Loss of blood was telling on my strength, and those assassins would have finished me if you had not come to my rescue."
"You are right, but you will prosecute those men. You know them evidently."
"No, I do not. I only know they are connected with a gang and they evidently have spotted me, as you
detectives say."
Oscar stared in amazement.
"As we detectives say?"
"Yes."
"How do you know I am a detective?"
"I know you are a detective, and I have a still more startling announcement to make. You have saved my life, but I have been lying about expecting at any moment to go to your aid and save yours."
"Save mine?"
"Yes."
"Well, you do amaze me."
"I knew I would, and I will amaze you still more. We are engaged in the same business. We are hunting down the same gang, and I believe we have succeeded."
It is impossible to describe the sensations that ran through our hero's mind as he said:
"You amaze me."
"I will be perfectly frank with you. I know all about you."
"Why did you not seek me?"
"I had made up my mind to do so. I was waiting for you to come from the house you had entered when I was assailed by those two men; and now I will tell you my story, and I trust you will believe every word I say, for I shall tell you nothing but the truth."
"Proceed and tell me your story. I am ready to believe what you tell me, and how is it you know about me?"
"I found out who you were. I saw you first when you were on the track of that Spitzanni."
"Spitzanni?" repeated our hero.
"Yes, the man whom you tracked to the meadows, or rather you were inveigled to meet him. I was at hand to aid if it became necessary, for I also was on that man's track. I will tell you about myself." Alphonse told a story that agreed with all the detective knew of Alphonse, and proceeding said:
"A great robbery occurred in Rome. A large reward was offered for the capture of the robbers and the recovery of particular pieces of jewelry--old family heirlooms. An Italian detective in Paris engaged me to come to the United States; he believed that the robbers had fled to America. He knew I spoke both Italian and English as well as French. He speaks only French and Italian. I came here and I have been on the track of those fellows for months."
"Have you made any discoveries?"
"No discoveries connecting them with the Roman robbery, but I have established the fact that they are desperate characters. This fellow Spitzanni arrived in America just after the Roman robbery. I propose to ally myself with you, if you will permit me, and I know I can be of great service to you."
"You are acquainted with Mrs. Frewen?"
"I am. She was my mother's kindest friend, but she is bitterly prejudiced against me."
"You sent her a letter."
"I did, warning her that a robbery was contemplated. I had no positive knowledge and dared not make a direct statement, but I sent a note calculated to put her on her guard, and wished she would take the necessary precautions. I learned that she did. She called you to her aid and captured the robbers."
"That is all true, and this has been a most remarkable revelation to me, for do you know I was tracking you."
"Believing me to be connected with the gang?"
"Yes."
"Had you any grounds for suspecting me?"
"Only the fact that you were an Italian and appeared to know in advance the intentions of a gang of robbers."
"I obtained my information while trailing an Italian who is an associate of those fellows. I got into his good favor and won his confidence. I rewarded him by a warning at the last moment, and that is the way I obtained my knowledge."
"Do you know the basis of Mrs. Frewen's prejudice against you?"
"I do not. She was once my friend. She has since appeared to be my enemy."
"You were not engaged in any criminal acts?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because Mrs. Frewen really believes you are a criminal."
"She has no basis for her belief. I never did a dishonorable deed in my life. My only crime is being a poor young man."
"Have you any suspicion as to your real parentage?"
"Aha! you have heard about me from Mrs. Frewen."
"I have."
"I have no proofs as concerns the identity of my father. I have many well-grounded reasons for believing I can identify him. I probably will never obtain the proofs, never establish my claim to a noble name."
Oscar held a prolonged conversation with Alphonse Donetti. He was perfectly frank and told him of Alice Frewen's belief in his integrity, and indeed concealed nothing. Our hero was fully convinced of the young man's truthfulness, and from him obtained many facts concerning the gang with whom Argetti was associated.
Later on the two young men parted, Alphonse promising to remain where he was until he received further information from our hero. In a later interview with the chief it was agreed to arrest every one of the Italians supposed to be connected with the gang, and on the following day a number of officers--silent and effective men--went abroad and five men were arrested, who, together with Argetti made six; and our hero had reason to believe that every man was identified with the Roman robbery.
A week passed and one day the chief sent word for Oscar to come to headquarters. Our hero meantime had been in constant communication with Alphonse, the girl Caroline Metti, and also Alice, and a perfectly free interchange of confidences had been made.
As intimated, the chief sent for Oscar, and when the latter arrived he was informed that the representative of the Roman nobleman was in New York, and awaited an interview with our hero at his hotel. Oscar proceeded at once to the hotel, bearing a card from the chief, and met a very pleasant-looking gentleman who spoke English fluently, and we will here state that more English comparatively is spoken in Italy than in France.
"I am very happy to meet you," said the gentleman, after the usual interchange of courtesies, "as I understand you have had special charge of the business of running down the robbers."
"Yes, sir."
"You have certain men under arrest?"
"I have."
"Have you any proofs against them?"
"That remains for you to determine."
"For me to determine?"
"Yes."
"How so?"
"I have in my possession certain articles; if you can identify them as part of the proceeds of the robbery in Rome we have the right men."
"Will you let me see the articles?"
"If you will accompany me I will show them to you."
We will here state that the police had taken possession of Argetti's house. They had stationed a guard over it. Oscar had visited the house many times with Caroline Metti, and after many searches had unearthed a buried casket in the cellar, and in the casket he had found a rich collection of jewels. Indeed, the robbery had been of even greater magnitude than had been reported, and among the articles stolen were jewels that had belonged to the family of the nobleman during the pontificate of Gregory XI. These were articles that had come down in the family for over five centuries and were of great intrinsic as well as historical value.
This casket had been left at the house pending the arrival of the representative from Rome, subject to positive identification.
When the casket was produced and shown to the Italian he uttered a cry of delight and amazement. Indeed he fairly danced around so great was his joy.
"Are we right?" asked Oscar.
"Right, my dear sir, you are the most wonderful man on earth. I always believed Americans were a great people, and you are the greatest American I ever met."
Our hero laughed and said:
"It was a simple matter--a very simple matter."
"Ah, to you, but to me it is a marvelous feat."
"These are the stolen goods?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are the rare souvenirs there?"
The Italian made a careful examination and finally said:
"Yes, everything is here. Of course there are some few articles missing of modern manufacture, but what my master values at millions is here. Oh, how proud, how happy he will be when he learns that I have recovered his treasures, and there is but one bit of news that I could cable to him would cause him greater joy."
Our hero stared.
"Then he has met with other losses?"
"Yes, sir."
"It is possible I can aid you in this other matter."
"No, no, the grave has closed over the one object that would have made my master's heart glad. He is an old man--will soon go to the grave himself--and with him ends the male line of the great and ancient house of Prince ----."
Our hero's heart stood still, and strange, wild thoughts flashed through his mind. He did not speak of certain facts at that moment, nor did he make further inquiries. He had the one business on hand. He said:
"We have the robbers. It will be necessary for you to communicate with the Italian consul-general and proceed in a regular and legal manner to secure the extradition of the criminals."
"Yes, I will proceed at once."
The occurrences of the succeeding two weeks would not interest our readers, as our hero's time and attention were devoted to the furnishing of the evidence that was needed to extradite the robbers. As good luck would have it, at the last moment, as is often the case, one of the men "squeaked," as the vulgar professional saying has it; that is, made a full confession implicating every one of his late pals. Then the road was clear and our hero met the representative by appointment to receive his reward and payment for services. Oscar was not unmindful of the assistance he had received from Caroline Metti and she received a handsome sum as her share, and she did not refuse it, for under the advice of our hero she had determined upon her future course.
Having settled the matter as concerned Caroline Metti our hero said:
"There is one more party who comes in for recognition--a young man."
"Name him," said the representative. "I am prepared to liberally reward every one who aided in the recovery of these precious heirlooms."
"I will not name the party. I will show you his picture, and you can probably identify him yourself."
Our hero had secured the photograph of Alphonse Donetti. He handed it to the representative in a careless manner, saying:
"That is a picture of the young man, and to him we are under great obligations in this matter."
The instant the Italian saw and fixed his eyes on the picture he recoiled like one gazing at a ghost. His eyes fairly bulged. He turned pale, trembled like an aspen leaf, and attempted to speak, but his tongue appeared to cleave to the roof of his mouth. He was unable to speak. Oscar stood by, a look of delight and gratification expressed upon his handsome face.
The detective waited. He desired to give the Italian time to recover his composure, and finally, when the latter was able to speak, he asked in gasping tones:
"Is the original of this picture alive?"
"He is."
"His name?"
"Alphonse Donetti."
"His parentage--do you know his parentage?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Answer my question."
"When you are calmer we will talk."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"I mean that possibly there is something to be explained."
"Is it possible you gave me this picture with a purpose?"
"Yes, I handed you that picture with a purpose."
"And what was your purpose?"
"I desired to learn if you had ever seen him before."
The Italian had fully recovered command of his nerves and he said:
"No, I never saw this picture before."
"Did you ever behold the original?"
"Never."
"Then why your excitement when you beheld the photograph?"
"Was I excited?"
"Sir, you must be perfectly frank with me."
"Will you explain just what you are getting at?"
"Not until you have explained your excitement."
"I have nothing to explain."
"Neither have I."
There followed an interval of awkward silence, broken at length by the Italian who said:
"There is design in all this."
"Yes, there is design."
"You will certainly intimate your design."
"I will intimate nothing."
"What is it you demand?"
"I demand to know the cause of your excitement."
The Italian meditated a moment and then said:
"This picture bears a striking resemblance to one whom I once knew."
"Who is the party?"
"The son of the Prince of ----."
"But you said you had never seen the original."
"I never did behold the original of that picture. The prince's son is dead. He has been dead several years. He was much older than the original of this picture."
Our hero was a quick and rapid thinker and he asked:
"Is it not possible that the original of that picture is the grandson of the present Prince of ----?"
"I cannot tell; the resemblance is certainly very remarkable."
"Tell me about the prince and his son."
"I will."
"Do so."
"The son of the Prince of ---- married a French lady. The marriage was a secret one. He deserted his wife and later married an Italian lady of noble birth. The second wife died without leaving any children."
"How could he desert his French wife and marry an Italian woman?"
"He secured a divorce."
"Was he justified?"
"No."
"I am glad you are so frank."
"I have no reason for being otherwise. His French wife was very proud. The prince never knew of his son's marriage to the French lady--it was a secret marriage. After the death of his Italian wife without issue the son revealed to his father, the prince, the fact of his former marriage and the fact of the birth of an heir. The son was killed in a railroad disaster, and then the old prince, being without an heir, sought to find his grandson. He spent large sums of money and succeeded in establishing the fact that his grandson also was dead. He learned that he was a spirited young fellow and had been killed in a duel."
Our hero remembered how Mrs. Frewen had aided in nursing the young man Alphonse Donetti. He guessed the whole mystery and said:
"Young Alphonse Donetti, the original of that picture, was wounded in a duel. He recovered, however, and is alive to-day, a noble young man, one whom his grandfather may proudly welcome as his heir--one well calculated to maintain all the ancient glories of his race."
Our hero proceeded and told the story of Alphonse Donetti. The Italian listened attentively and finally said, when the relation was concluded:
"I believe that indeed this young man is the legitimate heir of the great prince, and his grandfather will be the happiest man in Italy when I again cable him and tell him his heir is found alive, well, and a credit to his race."
"You can cable him, for there is no doubt as to the real identity of the young man."
Oscar and the Italian continued their talk for a long time and then our hero departed, after having arranged for a meeting between Alphonse and the representative of his grandfather.
As Oscar proceeded to the home of Mrs. Frewen he remarked:
"How wonderful are the ways of Providence, and what strange experiences in family histories come to our profession!"
Our hero found Mrs. Frewen at home. To her he made the startling revelation, and added that he had the most positive and indisputable proofs and evidence that Alphonse was well worthy to maintain the credit of his honorable lineage.
Later the detective saw Alice. To her he also made the revelation and assured her that her confidence in the innocence and integrity of the young man had been well sustained and verified, and then he learned that Alice had really met Alphonse and had learned from him his real purpose in visiting America.
Having carried the good news to Alice, our hero proceeded to meet Alphonse. The young prince had recovered from his wound to such a degree that he was able to go out, and our hero said:
"Alphonse Donetti, I have great news for you."
The young Italian stared and our hero proceeded:
"In the most remarkable manner the mystery of your parentage has been solved."
Alphonse did not start or betray any undue emotion or excitement, and Oscar related all that had occurred, and it was then that Alphonse spoke and said:
"The question of my parentage was never a mystery to me, but I believe I inherit the pride of my race. I resolved never to claim relationship to those who had treated my mother in such a cruel manner and who appeared to hate me. I supposed they knew of my whereabouts. I should never have claimed relationship, but--" The young man stopped short for a moment and then, with a glitter in his eyes, added:
"I had all the proofs of my honorable title as the legitimate heir to the name and fortune of my cruel parent, and I did intend when they were dead in memory of my mother to establish my right to the fortune and title."
"Your grandfather is innocent in this matter. You knew that your father was dead?"
"I did not know it until you told me. I never saw my father to know him. If my grandfather seeks me I will go to him and reverence him as I trust he desires."
Later Alphonse was introduced to his grandfather's representative and easily furnished all the proofs as to his identity.
A month passed and a letter arrived from the prince. He expressed his delight, sent a large check and requested his grandson to return immediately to his ancestral home.
Alphonse did not go at once, and when he did sail for Italy there went with him his wife, the princess, who as Alice Frewen had been so faithful and true to him.
Mrs. Frewen returned with her niece to Italy. Our hero saw them off, and that same day Oscar returned and met the beautiful Caroline Metti, and in a laughing tone said:
"Now, Caroline, if I could only gather the links to prove you a princess I should be a proud and happy man."
"Those links you will never gather, but I am grateful to you, for you have restored to me an interest in life and awakened an ambition."
"And what is your ambition?"
"I hardly dare tell you."
"Yes, tell me."
"You will be jealous."
"No, I will not;" but there did come a color to our hero's handsome face.
"You are sure you will not be jealous?"
"I am sure."
"It is my ambition to become a great female detective."
"Great Scott!" ejaculated our hero, "is that all?"
"That is all. Will you aid me?"
"I will, and there is no reason why you should not become the greatest lady detective that ever lived."
"I will try."
"And I will help you."
[THE END]
Harlan Page Halsey's Book: Oscar the Detective; or, Dudie Dunne, The Exquisite Detective
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