the red seal-第21章

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hester；　and　I　suggest　that　we　search　this　apartment　thoroughly。〃

〃I　have　already　done　so；〃　objected　Ferguson。　　〃And　there　wasn't　the　faintest　clew　to　his　hiding　place。〃

〃For　all　that　I　am　not　satisfied。〃　　Kent　walked　over　and　switched　on　another　light。　　〃When　I　came　here　on　Wednesday　night　I　had　a　tussle　with　some　man；　but　he　escaped　in　the　dark　without　my　seeing　him。　　I　believe　he　was　Rochester。〃

〃You　are　probably　right。〃　Ferguson　crossed　the　room。　　〃And　if　he　came　back　once；　he　may　return　again。　　Come　ahead；〃　and　he　plunged　into　the　first　bedroom。　　The　two　men　subjected　each　room　to　an　exhaustive　search；　but　their　labors　were　their　only　reward；　except　for　an　accumulation　of　dust；　the　apartment　was　undisturbed。　　They　had　reached　the　kitchenette…pantry　when　the　gong　over　their　heads　sounded　loudly；　and　Kent；　with　a　muttered　exclamation　hastened　toward　the　front　door　of　the　apartment。　　Ferguson；　intent　on　studying　the　〃L〃　of　the　building　as　seen　from　the　window；　was　hardly　conscious　of　his　departure；　and　some　seconds　elapsed　before　he　turned　toward　the　door。　　As　he　gained　it；　he　saw　a　dark　shape　dart　down　the　hall。　　With　a　bound　Ferguson　started　in　pursuit；　and　the　next　second　grappled　with　the　flying　man　just　as　the　electric　lights　went　out　and　they　were　plunged　in　darkness。

Suddenly　Kent's　voice　echoed　down　the　hall。　　〃Come　here　quick；　Ferguson！〃

There　was　a　note　of　urgency　about　his　appeal；　and　Ferguson　straining　his　muscles　until　the　blood　pounded　in　his　temples；　threw　the　struggling　man　into　a　tufted　arm…chair　which　stood　by　the　entrance　to　the　small　dining　room；　and　drawing　out　his　handcuffs；　slipped　them　on　securely。　　〃Stay　there；〃　Ferguson　admonished　his　prisoner。　〃Or　there　will　be　worse　coming　to　you；〃　and　he　thrust　the　muzzle　of　his　revolver　against　the　man's　heaving　chest　to　illustrate　his　meaning；　then　as　Kent　called　again；　he　sped　down　the　hall　and　brought　up　breathless　at　the　front　door。　　The　light　was　still　burning　in　the　corridor；　though　not　very　brightly；　and　he　saw　Kent　hand　the　grinning　messenger　boy　a　shiny　quarter。　　Touching　his　battered　cap　the　boy　went　whistling　away。　　〃Tell　the　elevator　boy　to　report　that　a　fuse　has　burned　out　in　Mr。　Rochester's　apartment；〃　Ferguson　called　after　him；　and　the　lad　waved　his　hand　as　he　dashed　into　the　elevator。

Paying　no　attention　to　the　detective's　call；　Kent　showed　him　a　white　envelope　which　bore　the　simple　address：

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　PHILIP　ROCHESTER；　ESQ。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　SARATOGA

〃It's　the　identical　envelope　I　found　in　your　safe；〃　declared　Ferguson。

〃And　which　disappeared　last　night　at　the　Club　de　Vingt。〃　　Kent　turned　over　the　envelope。　　〃See；　the　red　seal。〃

For　a　minute　the　men　contemplated　the　seal　with　the　large　distinctive　letter　〃B〃　in　the　center。

〃Open　the　letter；　sir；〃　Ferguson　urged　and　Kent；　his　fingers　fairly　trembling；　jerked　and　tore　at　the　linen　incased　envelope；　the　flap　ripped　away　and　he　opened　the　envelope　…　it　was　empty。

Instinctively　the　two　men　glanced　down　at　the　parquetry　flooring；　nothing　but　a　thin　coating　of　dust　lay　there；　and　Kent　looked　up　and　down　the　corridor；　it　was　deserted。

〃Do　you　recognize　the　handwriting？〃　asked　Ferguson。

〃No。〃　Kent　regarded　the　envelope　in　bewilderment。　　〃What　shall　we　do？〃

〃Do？　　Call　up　the　Dime　Messenger　Service　and　see　where　the　envelope　came　from；　but　first　come　and　see　my　prisoner。

〃Your　prisoner？〃　in　profound　astonishment。

〃Yes。　　I　caught　him　chasing　up　the　hall　after　you；〃　explained　Ferguson　as　they　hurriedly　retraced　their　steps。　　〃I　put　handcuffs　on　him　and　then　went　to　you。　　Ah；　here's　the　light！〃

〃The　light；　yes；　but　where's　your　prisoner？〃　and　Kent；　who　was　a　trifle　in　advance　of　his　companion　in　reaching　the　dining　room；　stood　aside　to　let　Ferguson　pass　him。

The　detective　halted　abruptly。　　The　chair　into　which　he　had　thrust　his　prisoner　was　vacant。　　The　man　had　disappeared。

With　one　accord　Ferguson　and　Kent　advanced　close　to　the　chair；　and　an　oath　broke　from。　　the　detective。　　On　the　cushion　of　the　chair；　still　bearing　the　impress　of　a　human　body；　lay　a　pair　of　shining　new　handcuffs。

Dazedly　Ferguson　stooped　over　and　examined　them。　　They　were　still　securely　locked。　　Wheeling　around　Kent　dashed　through　the　door　to　his　right　and　Ferguson；　collecting　his　wits；　searched　the　rest　of　the　apartment　with　minute　care。　　Five　minutes　later　he　came　face　to　face　with　Kent　in　the　living　room。　　〃Not　a　trace　of　any　kind；〃　declared　Kent。　　〃It's　the　same　as　the　other　night；　the　man's　gone。　It's　…　it's　positively　uncanny。〃

Ferguson's　face　was　red　from　mortification　and　his　exertions　combined。

〃The　fellow　must　have　slipped　from　the　room　by　that　other　door　and　out　through　the　living　room　as　we　came　down　the　hail；〃　he　said。　〃Did　you　shut　the　door　of　the　apartment；　Mr。　Kent；　before　coming　down　here　to　look　at　the　prisoner？〃

〃Yes。〃　　Kent　led　the　way　back　to　the　dining　room。　　〃Did　you　recognize　the　man；　Ferguson？〃

〃No。〃　　The　detective　swore　softly　as　he　stared　about　the　room。　〃The　lights　went　out　just　as　I　tackled　him。〃

〃It　was　beastly　luck　that　the　fuse　burned　out　at　that　second；〃　groaned　Kent。　　〃Fortune　was　with　him　in　that；　but　how　did　the　man　get　free　of　the　handcuffs？〃　pointing　to　them　still　lying　in　the　chair。　　〃We　can't　attribute　that　to　luck；　unless〃　…　staring　keenly　at　Ferguson　…〃　unless　you　did　not　snap　them　on　the　man's　wrists；　after　all。〃

〃I　did；　I　swear　it；〃　declared　Ferguson。　　〃I'm　no　novice　at　that　business。　　Here；　don't　touch　them；　Mr。　Kent；〃　as　his　companion　bent　toward　the　chair。　　〃There　may　be　finger　marks　on　the　steel；　if　so〃　…　he　drew　out　his　handkerchief；　and　taking　care　not　to　handle　the　burnished　metal；　he　folded　the　handcuffs　carefully　in　it　and　put　them　in　his　coat　pocket。　　〃There's　no　use　lingering　here；　Mr。　Kent；　this　apartment　is　vacant　now　except　for　us。　　I　must　get　to　Headquarters。〃

〃Hadn't　you　better　telephone　for　an　operative　and　station　him　here？〃　suggested　Kent。

〃I　did　so　while　you　were　searching　the　back　rooms；〃　replied　Ferguson。　〃There；〃　as　the　gong　sounded。　　〃That's　Nelson；　now。〃

But　the　person　who　stood　in　the　outer　corridor　when　they　opened　the　front　door　was　not　Nelson；　the　operative；　but　Dr。　Stone。

〃Can　I　see　Mr。　Rochester？〃　he　asked；　then　catching　sight　of　Kent　standing　just　back　of　the　detective；　he　added；　〃Hello；　Kent；　I　thought　I　heard　some　one　walking　about　in　here　from　my　apartment　next　door；　and　concluded　Rochester　had　returned。　　Can　I　see　him？〃

〃N…no；〃　Kent　spoke　slowly；　with　a　side…glance　at　the　silent　detective。　　〃Rochester　has　been　here　…　and　left。〃


CHAPTER　XVI

THE　CRIMSON　OUTLINE

Barbara　McIntyre　made　the　round　of　the　library　for　the　fifth　time；　testing　each　of　the　seven　doors　opening　into　it　to　see　that　they　　ere　closed　behind　their　portieres；　then　she　turned　back　to　her　sister；　who　sat　cross…logged　before　a　small　safe。

〃Any　luck？〃　she　asked

Instead　of　replying　Helen　removed　the　key　from　the　lock　of　the　steel　door　and　regarded　it　attentively。　　The　safe　was　of　an　obsolete　pattern　and　in　place　of　the　customary　combination　lock；　was　opened　by　means　of　a　key；　unique　in　appearance。

〃It　is　certainly　the　key　which　father　mislaid　six　months　ago；〃　she　declared。　　〃Grimes　found　it　just　after　father　had　a　new　key　made　and　gave　it　to　me。　　And　yet　I　can't　get　the　door　open。〃

〃Let　me　try。〃　Barbara　crouched　down　by　her　sister　and　inserted　the　key　again　in　the　lock；　but　her　efforts　met　with　no　results；　and　after　five　minutes'　steady　manipulation　she　gave　up　the　attempt。　〃I　am　afraid　it　is　impossible；〃　she　admitted。　　〃Seems　to　me　I　have　heard　that　the　lost　key　will　not　open　a　safe　after　a　new　key　has　been　supplied。〃

Helen　rose　slowly　to　her　feet；　stretching　her　cramped　limbs　carefully　as　she　did　so；　and　sank　down　in　the　nearest　chair。　　Her　attitude　indicated　dejection。

〃Then　we　can't　find　the　envelope；〃　she　muttered。　　〃Hurry；　Babs；　and　close　the　outer　door；　father　may　return　at　any　moment。〃

Barbara　obeyed　the　injunction　with　such　alacrity　that　the　door；　concealing　the　space　in　the　wall　where　stood　the　safe；　flew　to　with　a　bang　and　the　twins　jumped　nervously。

〃Take　care！〃　exclaimed　Helen　sharply。　　〃Do　you　wish　to　arouse　the　household？〃

〃No　danger　of　that。〃　　But　Barbara　glanced　apprehensively　about　the　library　in　spite　of　her　reassuring　statement。　　〃The　servants　are　either　out　or　upstairs；　and　Margaret　Brewster　is　writing　letters　in　our　sitting　room。〃

〃Hadn't　you　better　go　upstairs　and　join　her？〃　Helen　suggested。　　〃Do；　Babs；〃　as　her　sister　hesitated。　　〃I　cannot　feel　sure　that　she　will　not　interrupt　us。〃

〃But　my　joining　her　won't　keep　Margaret　upstairs；〃　objected　Barbara。

〃No；　but　you　can　call　and　warn　me　if　she　is　on　her　way　down；　and　that　will　give　me　time　to　…　to　straighten　father's　papers；〃　going　over　to　a　large　carved　table　littered　with　magazines；　letters；　and　silver　ornaments。　　Her　sister　did　not　move；　and　she　glanced　at　her　with　an　irritated　air；　very　foreign　to　her　customary　manner。　〃Go；　Barbara。〃

The　curt　command　brought　a　stare　from　Barbara；　but　it　did　not　accelerate　her　halting　footsteps；　instead　she　moved　with　even　greater　slowness　toward　the　hall　door；　her　active　brain　tormented　with　an　unspoken　and　unanswered　question。　　Why　was　Helen　so　anxious　for　her　departure？　　She　had　accepted　her　offer　of　assistance　in　her　search　of　the　library　with　such　marked　reluctance　that　Barbara　had　marveled　at　the　time；　and　now。。。

〃Are　you　quite　sure；　Helen；　that　father　had　the　envelope　in　his　pocket　this　morning？〃　she　asked　for　the　third　time　since　the　search　began。

〃He　had　an　envelope　…　I　caught　a　glimpse　of　the　red　seal；〃　answered　Helen。　　〃Then；　just　before　dinner　he　was　putting　some　papers　in　the　safe。　　Oh；　if　Grimes　had　only　come　in　a　moment　sooner　to　announce　dinner；　I　might　have　had　a　chance　to　look　in　the　safe　before　father　closed　the　door。〃

Whatever　reply　Barbara　intended　making　was　checked　by　the　rattling　of　the　knob　of　the　hall　door；　it　turned　slowly；　the　door　opened　and；　pushing　aside　the　portieres　drawn　across　the　entrance；　Margaret　Brewster　glided　in。　　〃So　glad　to　find　you；〃　she　cooed。　　〃But　why　have　you　closed　up　the　room　and　turned　on　all　the　lights？〃

〃To　see　better；〃　retorted　Barbara　promptly　as　the　widow's　eyes　roved　around　the　large　room；　taking　silent　note　of　the　drawn　curtains　and　portieres；　and　the　somewhat　disarranged　furniture。　　〃Come　inside；　Margaret；　and　help　us　in　our　search。〃

〃For　what？〃　The　widow　tried　to　keep　her　tone　natural；　but　a　certain　shrill　alertness　crept　into　it　and　Barbara；　who　was　watching　her　closely；　was　quick　to　detect　the　change。　　Helen's　color　altered　at　the　question；　and　she　observed　the　widow's　entrance　with　veiled　hostility。

〃For　my　seal；〃　Barbara　answered。　　〃The　one　with　the　big　letter　'B。'　Have　you　seen　it？〃

〃I？　…　No。〃　　The　widow　took　a　chair　uninvited　near　Helen。　　〃You　look　tired；　Helen　dear；　why　don't　you　go　to　bed？〃

〃I　could　not　sleep　if　I　did。〃　　Helen　passed　a　nervous　finger　across　her　eyes。　　〃But　don't　let　me　keep　you　and　Babs　up；　it　won't　take　me　long　to　arrange　to…morrow's　market　order　for　Grimes。〃

Under　pretense　of　searching　for　pencil　and　paper　Helen　contrived　to　see　the　address　of　every　letter　lying　on　the　table；　but　the　envelope　she　sought；　with　its　red　seal；　was　not　among　them。　　W