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“Was your daughter aware of this?”
“I talked the matter over with her.”
“Did you inform her that Kynett: was her half-brother?”
“What do you know about that?”
“Mr. Broadbrim wiil give you an account of our investigations
later. Then you.will understand everything. But will you please
answer my question? Did you, or did you not: tell her that
Kynett was: her half-brother?”
“T told-Laura that Alfred was my son.”
“What did she say? :
“T- told her my whole history—made a full confession—and she
said that it was no more than Tight that I should provide .for
Alfred and his. mother.”
“Did you tell her also that you had another son beside Alfred?”
“You are aware of that, too?’
“ es.” ‘om . .!
“I kept nothing back. I told Laura everything.”
“Did you give. -her Roger Clare’s address?” -
0.”
.“Did she ever, meet him? 2”
“Not that I am aware.” +
“When was the last-time.you heard from Clare?”
“Just after he-was released from prison. He wrote to me.
He said that if I would send him a thousand dollars he would
not bother me again. I sent him the money. For years he has
been .a thorn in :my, side. |
him. In the letter in which I sent him the money I told. him. that
he could never get another dollar out of me.”
“No” he reply to that letter?”
“Do you know where he is?”
“T do not.”
“Now, Mr. Broadbrim, tel Mr.-Hill about « our discoveries.”
Austin resumed: his seat by the window and proceeded to finish .
smoking his pipe.
Old Broadbrim gave- Mr. Hill a full account of the investiga-
_tions he had. made.
When the detective concluded the jeweler. said:
“You have considerable to learn yet. You need evidence to
Show who is the murderer of my wi—Mrs. Kynett.
have got to discover where my property is.
now to talk longer about this matter.. If Mr. Austin. will. con-
duct & me‘to a room where I can rest I shall consider it a great
avor.’
Austin ‘conducted the jeweler upstairs to a room on the second
oar.
“When | he ‘returned ‘to the library he found Old Broadbrim
pacing up and down the room.
“Well, Broadbrim,” Austin ejaculated as he flung himself down
upon the sofa, “do. you understand the case now?
“T do,” Broadbrim replied. “It’s as plain as day. * Roger Clare
planned the swhole conspiracy... He is a shrewd villain, but his
career is near its end.” 7
“Poor old Hill! I feel sorry for him.”
“Sa.do-L. And I-misjudged him. terribly. But who do - you
suppose impersonated the cashier and Mrs. Kynett? Clare was
- not in the city.”
“Alice Coventry is the individual.”
“Then ‘she impersonated Hill as well.”
“Yes. She_ is the author of the letter” which . the. coroner
received.”
For a while the detectives talked about various matters of a.
trivial nature connected with the case, and then they proceeded to
prepare to make the last move against the = conspirators.
CHAPTER XVI. |
ALL THE MYSTERIES _SOLVED.
The detectives had made important discoveries, but there were
many things connected .with the ; case that were yet to be ex-
plained... .
Both Broadbrim and Austin | may have had a theory. in regard.
to the identity of the person who had ‘murdered Mrs. Kynett, but
they possessed no evidence” which would prove. that that Person
as guilty.
wetpey kn knew. that Clare was the prime mover in all the deviltry;
that he had robbed Mr. Hill; that he had hired assassins to kill
Thousands ‘of dollars I have given:
Then you '
I’m’ too exhausted.
. OLD BROADBRIM WEEKLY.
Kynett; that he was the man who disappeared ‘from the sleeping
car Auburn; but they were not certain that he was a murderer. -
How would they proceed?
“I believe- that it will be best to strike the blow now,” Old
Broadbrim said after, he and Austin finished discussing the case.
“TI agree with you,” Austin rejoined.
" “We will proceed to the flat on Thirty-ninth, Street and arrest
Clare and the women.’
They changed their disguises and started for Alice’s flat.
They found Thad Leonard on the corner,-and he reported that
he had not seen any one come out of the house who resembled
Clare or either of the women.
Broadbrim and Austin got into the house without any: trouble.
The front door was unlocked, and they walked upstairs.
The Quaker knocked at the door of Alice’ s apartments.
ausen stood behind him.
he door was opened by Alice. :
‘ She was carefully disguised, but the, detectives recognized: her.
Before she-could make an inquiry, Broadbrim caught hold: of
her arm, snapped a pair of handcuffs around her wrists, and:
placed the muzzle of his revolver against her temple.
“Not a word,” he whispered.
Austin pushed by. him.
Alice was taken by surprise, but she displayed no sign of fear.
She drew her form up to its full height and said haughtily:
“I guess you have made a mistake!”
“T’ve made no mistake,” Broadbrim Tejoined.
“Who are you?”
“Thee’ll find out in a-short. time.”
Austin, while this conversation was going on, entered the
parlor.
No-one was there.
He passed through all the rooms without finding any one until
he came to the dining-room.
There he beheld Laura seated at the table.
She sprang to her feet and uttered an exclamation of surprise.
“Where is.Clare?” Austin asked. :
“Who are you? How did you'get in here?” Paura demanded.
“Never mind who I am. Teil me where Clare {s.”
“T don’t know. Alice! Alice!”
on rushed to ihe door opening into ‘the hall and flung it
oP Rustin followed her.
She beheld Alice and Broadbrim.
“My God! what is the meaning of this?” Laura cried out.
And she staggered back against the tall, pale and trembling.
“You are both under arrest,” Old Broadbrim. replied.-;
“Laura, say nothing,” Alice "admonished.
“Where is Clare?” Broadbrim asked.
“Who is Clare?” Alice inquired, pretending ‘to be greatly
surprised.
“You know. well enough ‘who he is.”
“Who are you?”
“My - name «is Broadbrim, and. my “friend's: name is: Henry
Austin.”
“Two: distinguished gentlemen. <I’m pleased to meet you.”
Her composure was wonderful. : .
There was nota tremor in her voice. ©
Her face was wreathed with smiles.
“Clare is not here, Mr. Broadbrim,”
think it will be best for us to take these ladies down to my
house.”
“Oh, what shall we do?” Laura wailed, and she wrung “her.
hands in despair.. -
“Shut up, fool!” Ailce ‘hissed.
“We will send them down to. your house in a carriage in
charge of my assistant, and then you and'I will make'a search —
of this flat,” Broadbrim said.
“Keep your eye on Miss Hill, and I'll go down ands “see your
man,”- Austin ‘remarked as he left the flat.
In five minutes he returned and announced that.a carriage was
at the door. ©
‘The detectives conducted the women downstairs and placed
them in the carriage...
After. giving -his assistant a few instructions Old Broadbrim
and Austin returned to.the flat... ..
They locked the doors!and then proceeded to. make ; a thorough -
searc
In one of the bedrooms they found a number of disguises.
Austin remarked, “so. I