Part 2

"KLEPTOMANIA"--THE TENDENCY TO SUPERSTITION--AN OLD KNICKERBOCKER FAMILY--A VERY "PROPER" OLD GENTLEMAN, A MR. GARRETSON--HE CALLS ON ME AT MY OFFICE, AND FINDS A CURIOUS-LOOKING ROOM--HIS STORY OF WONDERS--"EVERYTHING" STOLEN--TALK ABOUT DISEMBODIED SPIRITS--THE MYSTERY DEEPENS--PROBABLE CONJECTURE BAFFLED--VISIT TO MR. GARRETSON'S HOUSE--MRS. GARRETSON A BEAUTIFUL AND CULTIVATED OLD LADY--WE SEARCH THE HOUSE--AN ATTIC FULL OF OLD SOUVENIRS--WE LINGER AMONG THEM--MR. GARRETSON'S DAUGHTER IS CONVINCED THAT DISEMBODIED SPIRITS ARE THEIR TORMENTORS--SHE PUTS AN UNANSWERABLE QUESTION--A DANGEROUS DOG AND THE SPIRITS--TEDIOUS AND UNAVAILING WATCHING FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND NIGHTS--THE "SPIRITS" AGAIN AT WORK--RE-CALLED--THE MYSTERY GROWS MORE WONDERFUL--THE "SPIRIT" DISCOVERED, AND THE MYSTERY UNRAVELLED--THE FAMILY SENT AWAY--THE ATTIC RE-VISITED WITH MR. G., AND ITS TREASURES REVEALED--A RE-DISCOVERY OF THE "SPIRITS"--THE FAMILY REVIEW THEIR LONG-LOST TREASURES FOUND--REFLECTIONS ON THE CAUSES OF THE MYSTERY--A PROBLEM FOR THE DOCTORS. 273

=A SORCERESS' TRICK; HOW SHE WAS CAUGHT.=

CLASSIFICATION OF MEN--THE SUPERSTITIOUS ELEMENT IN MAN--THE OLD CULTS CONTINUED IN THE NEW--FIRE WORSHIP--THE SORCERERS--MY LEGAL FRIEND'S STORY A LAUGHABLE ONE INDEED--THE DESPONDENT OLD MAID, THOUGH ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED--AN AUNT ARRIVES IN "THE NICK OF TIME"--THEY HUNT UP A FORTUNE-TELLER--MRS. SEYMOUR, THE SORCERESS, AND HER PRETTY LITTLE "ORATORY"--THE "PRIE-DIEU"--THE OLD MAID MARRIES--MRS. SEYMOUR'S PLAN FOR INSURING THE AFFECTION OF HUSBANDS--HER POWERS AS A CHARMER--THE SACRED BOX AND ITS FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS CONTENTS--MRS. SEYMOUR IS LOST SIGHT OF--SEARCH FOR HER IN BROOKLYN AND AT BOSTON--THE CHARMED BOX OPENED BY MR. AND MRS. ----, AND THE CONTENTS FOUND TO HAVE CHANGED FORM MATERIALLY--MY LEGAL FRIEND AND I LOOK AFTER MATTERS--A PORTION OF THE TRANSFORMED VALUABLES FOUND--A MRS. BRADLEY, A "MEDIUM" IN BOSTON, PROVES TO BE THE IDENTICAL MRS. SEYMOUR--THE HIGH-TONED DEVOTEES OF BOSTON--SUDDEN PROCEEDINGS TAKEN--MRS. SEYMOUR AND HER HUSBAND COME TO TERMS--RESULTS--RESPECTABLE VICTIMS OF THE SORCERERS NUMEROUS--DUPES IN THE "ATHENS OF AMERICA." 309

=DISHONEST CLERK AND FATAL SLIP OF PAPER.=

IN AN UGLY MOOD WITH MYSELF--A VISIT FROM A CINCINNATIAN--A LOSS DETAILED--THE FATE OF A BANKING HOUSE RESTING ON "COLLATERALS" STOLEN, WHICH MUST BE RECOVERED--A LAWYER FIGURES IN THE MATTER AND IS BAFFLED--THE THIEVES SPECULATING FOR A SETTLEMENT--THE SCHEME LAID FOR THEIR DETECTION--A BUSINESS VISIT TO THE BANKING-HOUSE--THE CHIEF CLERK SENT TO CHICAGO ON BUSINESS--A SEARCH REVEALING LOVE LETTERS AND A LOVELY LITERARY LADY--ON TRACK OF MYSTERIOUS "PAPERS"--THE FATAL SLIP OF PAPER--THE WAY THE STOLEN BONDS WERE RECOVERED--THE CHIEF CLERK, AND HOW HE WAS "ENLIGHTENED"--A NOVEL AND QUIET ARREST IN A CARRIAGE--THE CLERK'S CONFEDERATE CAUGHT--THE PROPERTY RESTORED--THE SCAMPS DECAMP--THE INNOCENT LITERARY LADY'S EYES OPENED. 322

=THE THOUSAND DOLLAR LESSON.=

CHARLES PURVIS: TAKING HIM IN CHARGE AT A DISTANCE--HANGERS ON AT THE ST. NICHOLAS AND OTHER HOTEL ENTRANCES--A COLLOQUY, SPICED WITH REMINISCENCES OF "OLD SAM COLT," OF THE "REVOLVER," IN HIS GAY DAYS; A PARTY AT THE "OLD CITY HOTEL," HARTFORD, CONN., AND OTHER THINGS--TRINITY COLLEGE BOYS--"GEORGE ELLSWORTH"--PURVIS AND HE START ON A WALK--"WHERE CAN THEY BE GOING?"--GOING TO SEE ELLSWORTH'S "FRIEND"--AN EXCHANGE OF COATS--A SURVEY TAKEN--A FIRST-CLASS GAMBLING SALOON--A NEW MAN IN THE GAME--PURVIS DRUGGED--HIS "FRIENDS" TAKE HIM "HOME," BUT WHERE?--PURVIS IS RETURNED TO HIS HOTEL IN A STATE OF STUPEFACTION; IS AROUSED; MISSES A THOUSAND DOLLARS--PLANS LAID TO CATCH HIS LATE FRIENDS--WILLIAMS FOUND BY ACCIDENT, AND QUIETLY CAGED--THE OLD IRISH WOMAN'S APPEAL--WILLIAMS "EXPLAINS," AFTER PROPER INDUCEMENT--MOST OF THE MONEY RECOVERED--SUPPLEMENTS. 341

=THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.=

THE ANTIQUITY OF THAT SHEEP'S SKIN AND ITS PIOUS USEFULNESS--A LARGE LOSS OF SILKS, SATINS, LACES, AND OTHER GOODS--A CONSULTATION--A LONG STUDY--THE VARIOUS CHARACTERS OF SEVERAL CLERKS, WHAT THEY DID, AND HOW THEY KILLED "SPARE TIME"--INFLUENCE OF THE CITY ON MORALS--NEW YORK CENTRAL PARK--A MOST WONDERFUL SERIES OF THEFTS--THE MATTER, INEXPLICABLE AT FIRST, GROWS MORE SUBTLE--A GLEAM OF LIGHT AT LAST--A BRIGHT ITALIAN BOY PLAYS A PART--A LADY FOLLOWED--MORE LIGHT--AN EXTEMPORIZED SERVANT OF THE CROTON WATER BOARD GETS INSIDE A CERTAIN HOUSE--SARAH CROGAN AND I--HOW A HOUSE IN NINETEENTH STREET DELIVERED UP ITS TREASURES--"WILLIAM BRUCE," ALIAS CHARLES PHILLIPS--A VERY STRANGE DENOUEMENT--A MEEK MAN TRANSFORMED; HIS RAGE--A DELIVERY UP, WITH ACCOMPANYING JEWELS--A "WIDOW" NOT A WIDOW REMOVES--WHAT SARAH CROGAN THOUGHT. 358

=A FORCED MARRIAGE SCHEME DEFEATED.=

GOSHEN, CONN.--A LADY STRANGER THERE--A PILGRIMAGE TO GOSHEN, VIA THE FAR-FAMED MOUNTAIN TOWN OF LITCHFIELD--THE BEAUTIFUL WIDOW--AN UNPLEASANT REMINISCENCE OF DR. IVES, LATE BISHOP OF NORTH CAROLINA--MORE ABOUT THE WIDOW--SHE LEAVES FOR NEW YORK--AT THE "MANSION HOUSE," LITCHFIELD--A MARKED CHARACTER ENCOUNTERED THERE--MR. "C. B. LE ROY" STUDIED AND WEIGHED--THE BEAUTIFUL WIDOW AND LE ROY MEET--HER FACE DISCLOSES CONFLICTING EMOTIONS--MR. LE ROY AND THE BEAUTIFUL WIDOW, MRS. STEVENS, TAKE A WALK DOWN SOUTH STREET, IN THE "PARADISE OF LOAFERS"--SYMPATHIES SILENTLY EXCHANGED--WE ALL START FOR THE "STATION"--THE STAGE-COACH "TURNS OVER"--THE AFFRIGHTED LE ROY REVEALS HIS MANNERS--A PECULIAR SCENE IN THE CARS--AT BRIDGEPORT I PRESENT MYSELF TO MRS. STEVENS--AT NEW YORK AGAIN--A TALE OF COMPLICATIONS--MRS. STEVENS IN DEEP TROUBLE--A FRIEND OF HERS SEEKS ME--REVELATIONS--A FEARFUL STORY--A SECRET MARRIAGE AND UNHAPPY CONSEQUENCES--THE WRETCH LE ROY WANTS THE WIDOW'S MONEY--A TRAP SET FOR LE ROY--HE FALLS INTO IT--WEDDING SCENE DISARRANGED--THE WIDOW SAVED, AND THE INTENDED FORCED MARRIAGE DEFEATED. 387

=THE MARKED BILLS.=

A LITTLE KEY BEARING A MONOGRAM SHAPES THE DESTINY OF AN INTELLIGENT MAN--HOW THIS MAN CAME TO BE INVOLVED IN THE MATTER OF WHICH THIS TALE DISCOURSES--MY PARTNER AND I--FAR-OFF MYSTERIES MAY SOLVE NEARER ONES--A CONSULTATION--A COMMITTEE "SEEK LIGHT," AND FIND CONSOLATION--BURGLARIES AND HIGHWAY ROBBERIES BY THE WHOLESALE--MY PARTNER LEAVES FOR EUROPE--A TOWN IN OHIO INFESTED--A "DOCTOR HUDSON" APPEARS IN THE TOWN--HE MAKES A PROFESSIONAL VISIT TO ONE MR. PERKINS--A COLLOQUY; SEEKING LIGHT--A CALLOUS HAND, AND A CLEW TO MYSTERIES--"DOCTOR HUDSON" EXTENDS HIS ACQUAINTANCESHIP--HE MAKES A NIGHT'S VISIT OUT OF TOWN, AND GETS WAYLAID AND ROBBED, BUT MANAGES TO CREATE THE FATAL EVIDENCE HE WANTS OF THE ROBBERS' IDENTITY--A COUNCIL OF PRINCIPAL CITIZENS--"DOCTOR HUDSON" MAKES A DISCLOSURE--A SCHEME LAID--A "MILITARY INVESTMENT" OF A DOMESTIC FORTRESS; AN EXCITING HOUR--BREAKING INTO A HOUSE AT MIDNIGHT AND SURPRISING A SLEEPER--THE THIEF LEAVES TOWN TO GO TO CINCINNATI TO STUDY MEDICINE WITH "DOCTOR HUDSON"--A SUICIDE--PURITANIC MERCILESSNESS--THE MUSIC TEACHER'S INGENIOUS LETTER TO HIS LADY LOVE. 414

=THE COOL-BLOODED GOLD ROBBER.=

A SUDDEN CALL--GREAT CONSTERNATION AT THE ---- BANK IN WALL STREET--TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GOLD STOLEN--A HARD, INSOLUBLE CASE--"TRY," THE SOUL OF SUCCESS--BANKS COMPELLED TO GREATEST CAUTIOUSNESS--NO ESPRIT DE CORPS AMONG MONEY-CHANGERS--THE WAY I "CREATED" DETECTIVES--RAG-PICKERS MADE USEFUL ABOVE THEIR CALLING--AN UP-TOWN CARRIAGE HOUSE, AND ITS TREASURES--A LAUGHING COACHMAN--A PRESENT--COMPLICATED EVIDENCE UNRAVELLED--AN OLD OFFICE-WOMAN INVOLVED IN THE MYSTERY--A BIT OF FUN FURNISHES THE DESIRED "KEY"--"SMOUCHING," AND WHAT CAME OF IT--EXTENDING MY ACQUAINTANCESHIP--THE THIEF FOUND--A WALL STREET BROKER--STUDYING HIM--HIS CLERK WILED AWAY--GOOD USE OF THEATRE TICKETS--THE SCHEME OF IDENTIFICATION--A PLOT WITHIN A PLOT--THE BROKER WORSTED--HE STRUGGLES WITHIN HIMSELF; GROWS PALE--HOW HE EXECUTED THE ROBBERY--THE TERRIBLE "FORCE OF EXAMPLE" SOMETIMES--THE THIEF BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL--A SALUTARY WARNING TO OTHER THIEVES. 442

=$1,250,000, OR THE PRIVATE MARK.=

MONEY-GETTING AS RELATED TO CRIME--A VERY STRANGE HISTORY--THE MOST WONDROUS PURSUIT OF A MAN BY HIS ENEMY WHICH EVER (PROBABLY) WAS KNOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD--JAMES WILLIAM HUBERT ROGERS AND "NED" HAGUE, TWO ENGLISHMEN--"DAMON AND PYTHIAS" IN EARLY LIFE--A CHANGE COMES--A DEPARTED AND CONSIDERATE UNCLE DESCRIBED, ONCE A PROTEGE OF THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA--OLIVER CROMWELL HAGUE, A RICH INDIA MERCHANT--A MARVELOUS SEARCH FOR A LOST MAN--A MAN FOUND AND IDENTIFIED BY NUMEROUS FRIENDS AS THE ONE IN QUESTION--PLOTTING AND COUNTER-PLOTTING--A SHREWD VERMONT "LAWYER" MAKES A THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING--THE INDEFATIGABLE ROGERS COMES TO AMERICA IN HIS SEARCH--LOST IN THE VASTNESS OF THE COUNTRY--WE MEET, AND DEPART FOR ST. LOUIS--TROUBLES, AND AN ENLIGHTENING DREAM--A WICKED LAWYER--THE RIGHT TO REPENT--A SPIRITED COLLOQUY WITH THE LAWYER--AN ENEMY FOUND AND SET TO WORK--THE GRASPING LAWYER OUTWITTED--THE LOST FOUND IN A TERRIBLE CONDITION--A LITTLE PRIVATE FUN OVER THE LAWYER'S DISCOMFITURE--A SHARP EXAMINATION AND CROSS-EXAMINATION--LAWYER OUTWITTED, AND LOSES FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS--MR. ROGERS DEPARTS WITH THE "LOST ONE," BOUND FOR ENGLAND--DROWNING OF THE LATTER AT SEA--THE CHERISHED VICTORY OF YEARS VANISHES--OUT, WITH A LAUGH. 461

=WILLIAM ROBERTS AND HIS FORGERIES.=

A MAN OF THE OLDEN TYPE--HIS SAD STORY ABOUT HIS WIFE AND HIMSELF--THEY ADOPT A BRIGHT BOY--THE WIFE'S PROPHET SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE BOY--THE BOY GROWS UP AND GOES TO COLLEGE--A PLEASANT YEAR--HE LEARNS CERTAIN MYSTERIES OF LIFE--STUDENTS' PITCHED BATTLE WITH THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE--OF THE "WHITE HORSE"--A WHILE IN A LAWYER'S OFFICE--BECOMES A MERCHANT--MAKING MONEY TOO FAST--A FATAL HOUR--THE VORTEX OF WALL STREET--SUNDRY FORGERIES--A STRANGE CAREER--AN IMPORTANT WITNESS LOST, AND FOUND IN THE INSANE RETREAT, HARTFORD, CONN.--A TERRIBLE COMPLICATION OF AFFAIRS; LAWYERS AND ALL BAFFLED--I AM CALLED IN TO WORK UP THE CASE--DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED--FATE INTERPOSES--WENTWORTH, THE INSANE WITNESS, RECOVERS--A VAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK INK AND BLUE INK--DYING OF GRIEF--AN UNHAPPY HOUSEHOLD. 492

=OLD MR. ALVORD'S LAST WILL.=

THE DESTRUCTIVE GREED OF GAIN--A WEIRD, WONDROUS TALE--"WHAT IF THEY BUT KNEW"--TELLING STORIES AWAY FROM HOME--REVELATIONS--AN OLD MAN OF THE HIGH MORAL TYPE--CURIOUS NOTION ABOUT THE SIZE OF A FAMILY--THE MYSTIC NUMBER THREE--PORTRAITS OF A FAMILY; A PERFECT WOMAN--DEATH AND INTRIGUES--A "FAITHFUL SERVANT"--OLD WILLS AND NEW--LEGAL COMPLICATIONS--THE LAST WILL MISSING--A CRAFTY LAWYER--A THOROUGH SEARCH--A DIABOLICAL COURTSHIP, AND FIERCE STRUGGLE THROUGH THREE YEARS--A DETECTIVE AT LAST CALLED INTO THE MATTER--A PLOT LAID TO FOIL OLD BOYD, AN UNSCRUPULOUS LAWYER--DID IT SUCCEED?--THE READER PERMITTED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION FOR HIMSELF--A VITAL DISCOVERY--MORE PLOTTING--A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY MAKES A DIVERSION IN THE PLANS--OLD ANDREW WILCOX'S FUNNY LETTERS SEARCHED AND A TREASURE "FOUND" AMONG THEM--OLD BOYD'S CONSTERNATION--THE LAST WILL FINALLY CARRIED OUT--"NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE"--A FORTUNE TOO LARGE TO BE LAUGHED AT--A CUNNING WIFE LEADS HER HUSBAND A CURIOUS LIFE--A BIT OF COMFORT, PERHAPS. 509

=THE CONFIDENTIAL CLERK.=

THE INNOCENT OFTEN SUFFER WITH THE GUILTY--THE DETECTIVES' "KEYS"--REGRETS--LEONARD SAVAGE, A YOUNG MAN OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND HIS FAMILY STOCK--RICHARD BROOKS, A WEALTHY NEW YORK MERCHANT--HIS VISIT TO YOUNG SAVAGE'S FATHER--RESULTS--PARTIAL BIOGRAPHY OF MR. BROOKS, IN WALL STREET AND ELSEWHERE--A SLAVE TO FORTUNE--A FATHER'S PRIDE--MR. BROOKS' FEARFUL DREAM--MR. BROOKS IN THE OLD HOME OF HIS CHILDHOOD--HOW A TRUE MAN TREATS HIS WIFE--FAMILY ASPIRATIONS--THE LOVE OF YOUNG MEN--COUNTRY AND CITY TEMPTATION--A "NEW SUIT," AND A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS--A SURPRISING PRESENT--A HAPPY SEASON--A FEARFUL CHANGE COMES--TERRIBLE RESULTS OF AN UNJUST JUDGMENT--STRANGEST THING EVER KNOWN--A CATHOLIC PENITENT AN ACTOR IN THE SCENES--REMORSE--UNRAVELLINGS IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY--A SPEEDY VOYAGE TO EUROPE TO RESTORE THE WRONGED TO HIS RIGHT PLACE. 542

=THE PECULIAR ADVERTISEMENTS.=

THE DOCTRINE OF CHANCE--A NIGHT AT THE GIRARD HOUSE, PHILADELPHIA--AN INOFFENSIVE GENTLEMAN, MY ROOM-MATE--I DISTURB HIS SLEEP--A QUEER TALE--NELLIE WILSON AND HER UNCLE--WILLIAM WILSON, NELLIE'S DISSOLUTE COUSIN--FEARFUL LOVE-MAKING--A RESCUE--A CALL TO DUTY--A DEAD MAN'S WILL MISSING--STUDYING UP THE CASE WITH THE GREAT CRIMINAL LAWYER, JUDGE S.--FATE INTERPOSES--A MYSTERIOUS AND PECULIAR ADVERTISEMENT--AT THE CONTINENTAL HOTEL, WAITING AND WATCHING--AN "APPEARANCE"--WILLIAM WILSON AGAIN--AN UPPER ROOM, AND THE VILLAINS THEREIN--A PRIVATE CONFERENCE NOT ALL SECRET--A FLASH OF VICTORY BEFORE UTTER DEFEAT--NOTES AND DOCUMENTS EXCHANGED--BASE REJOICINGS--FATAL NEGLECT--THE SURPRISE--COMPLETE DISCOMFITURE--END ACCOMPLISHED--"COALS OF FIRE," BUT THEY DO NO GOOD--VIOLENT DEATH--HAPPY CONSEQUENCES--PECULIAR ADVERTISEMENTS UNRAVELLED. 571

=COL. NOVENA, PRINCE OF CONFIDENCE MEN.=

THE CONFIDENCE MAN, PAR EXCELLENCE; A REAL "ARTIST"--"COL. NOVENA," "COUNT ANTONELLI," "GEN. ALVEROSA," "SIR RICHARD MURRAY," MAKES A VISIT--A MAN OF GREAT NATURAL ABILITY, WITH "A SCREW LOOSE"--A BIT OF "PHILOSOPHY"--THE MAN DESCRIBED, VERSATILE, AGILE, BRAVE, DARING--THE COLONEL AS A GALLANT--CURIOUS TALE ABOUT TWO SISTERS AND COL. NOVENA--PRESIDENT BUCHANAN, PROFESSOR HENRY, GEN. FREMONT, AND MR. SEWARD OF THE NUMBER OF HIS FRIENDS--DISHONEST WAYS OF DOING "LEGITIMATE BUSINESS"--A SHOCKING BAD MEMORY--THE COLONEL AS A PHILANTHROPIST--COMES TO GRIEF--AT WASHINGTON, D. C.--SARATOGA TEMPTS THE COLONEL.--HIS SUCCESSES THERE--A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES--A VALUABLE DIAMOND NECKLACE LOST--THE GREAT MYSTERY--HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE NECKLACE--THOROUGH SEARCHING--THE SHREWDEST SCAMPS GENERALLY HAVE BETTER REPUTATION THAN MOST PEOPLE--TOO GOOD A "CHARACTER" A MATTER OF SUSPICION--"MR. HENRY INMAN, ARTIST," IS CREATED--HEADWAY MADE--THE NECKLACE COMES TO LIGHT IN THE POSSESSION OF A MOST REMARKABLE WOMAN--GOODNESS IN BAD PLACES--A LIVING MORAL PARADOX--AN "UNFORTUNATE" GOOD SAMARITAN--THE GENERAL'S SENSE OF HONOR WOUNDED--TO CANADA--DOWN THE RAPIDS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE--A TOMB IN GREENWOOD--RENDERING TO WOMAN HER DUE--A BLESSED CHARITY--WALL STREET CORRUPTS THE MORALS OF THE NATION. 589

=CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.=

A ROBBERY--ONE OF THE FEMALE ATTACHÉS OF THE GREAT KOSSUTH--A WIDOW LADY OF RANK IN HUNGARY--KOSSUTH'S SISTER--A BOARDING-HOUSE AT NEWARK, N. J., AND ITS INMATES--SUNDRY FACTS AND CONSIDERATIONS--BEAUTY WINS--AN INVESTIGATION--SERVANTS EXAMINED--THE PATENT-ROOF MAKER--"TRACING" A MAN--A HOLLOW WALKING-STICK WITH MONEY IN IT--NO CLEW YET--A PATHETIC BLUNDER--REVELATIONS IN DREAMS--A BIT OF PAPER TELLS A STORY--IDENTIFICATION--THIEF ARRESTED--CONDITIONAL SETTLEMENT--TRIUMPHAL VISIT TO THE WIDOW--"WHITE LIE," AND ANNOUNCEMENT--DOUBTING--PERFECT EVIDENCE SOMETIMES IMPERFECT--UNSOLVED PROBLEM; WHO DID THE ROBBERY? 610

=THE COUNTERFEIT MONEY SPECULATORS.=

"MONEY"--THE COUNTERFEITERS' MORAL PHILOSOPHY--THE CUNNING OF BANK BILLS--NO VALID BANK BILLS ISSUED--A TRICK OF THE BANKS TO EVADE THE LAW--SWINDLING UNDER "COLOR OF LAW," AND IN DEFIANCE THEREOF; A VAST DISTINCTION--COUNTERFEITERS AS "PUBLIC BENEFACTORS"--THE REGULAR COUNTERFEITERS EMBARRASSED BY THE BOGUS ONES--MR. "FERGUSON'S" MARVELLOUS LETTER--COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS--THE "HONEST FARMER" OF VERMONT, AND HIS SPECULATION WITH THE COUNTERFEIT MONEY MEN--WHAT HE SENT FOR, AND WHAT HE GOT--A SECURELY DONE-UP PACKAGE--A "DOWN-CELLAR" SCENE--THE "HONEST FARMER'S" CONFUSION--A BIT OF LOCAL HISTORY RELATING TO THOMASTON, CONN.--THE HONEST OYSTER DEALER THERE, AND THE NINETY DOLLARS "C. O. D."--A QUESTION UNSETTLED--HOW THE "HONEST FARMER" OF VERMONT CHEATED ME AT LAST. 626

=THE DETECTIVE SYSTEM.=

THE NECESSITY OF THE DETECTIVE SYSTEM GENERALLY DISCUSSED--STATE OF SOCIETY WHICH CREATED IT--REGULAR AND IRREGULAR ROBBERS--THE YOUNG MAN OF INTELLIGENCE ENTERING UPON ACTIVE LIFE, A PICTURE--HE NATURALLY ALLIES HIMSELF TO THE TYRANT AND ROBBING CLASSES--NO HONESTY IN TRADE--TRADE RULES; AND ALL ARE CORRUPT--NO CONSCIENCE AMONG TRAFFICKERS--LYING A FINE ART--ALL VILLAINS, BUT NONE INDIVIDUALLY AT FAULT--THE DETECTIVE BELONGS TO THE CORRUPT GOVERNING CLASSES--WEIGHING HIM--GREAT THIEVES--"THE PURVEYORS OF HELL"--THE ETERNAL TALKERS, AND WHAT THEY AMOUNT TO--THE USE FOR DETECTIVES AN INCIDENT; "CATCHING A FLAT"--THE DETECTIVE'S VOCATION FURTHER CONSIDERED--HOW THE DETECTIVES PROTECT SOCIETY--ILLUSTRATIVE INCIDENTS--A GREAT DETECTIVE DESCRIBED--STRATAGEMS--WHAT THE PHILOSOPHERS SAY--IS THE DETECTIVE SYSTEM FROM ABOVE OR BELOW? 643

List of Illustrations.

1. PORTRAIT OF GEO. S. McWATTERS, _Frontispiece._

2. McWATTERS' SPECTACLE CASE, _To face page_ 33

3. "TEN DOLLARS A MONTH," 79

4. McWATTERS AND THE VETERAN, 87

5. THE BOND OPERATOR, 103

6. THE WAX FINGER DISCOVERED, 127

7. SEIZURE OF YOUNG WORDEN IN BALTIMORE, 149

8. ATLANTIC BEER GARDEN.--PAYNE AND COLLINS' RENDEZVOUS, 165

9. DESCENT UPON BLANCHARD AND THE GAMBLERS, 173

10. PROTECTING THE INNOCENT, 201

11. RESCUE OF HATTIE NEWBERRY, 215

12. RESTELL AT SING SING, 221

13. THE BOGUS LOTTERY OFFICE, 237

14. SURPRISING THE BOGUS LOTTERY DEALERS, 249

15. RECOVERING THE DIAMOND RING, 267

16. THE OLD KNICKERBOCKER IN THE DETECTIVE'S OFFICE, 279

17. DISCOVERING THE "SPIRITS" AT NO. 89 ---- STREET, NEW YORK, 291

18. "KETCH HIM AND HOULD HIM!"--WILLIAMS' ARREST, 355

19. THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, 383

20. BREAK-DOWN ON LITCHFIELD HILL, 399

21. THE CEREMONY DEFEATED, 409

22. DR. HUDSON'S STRATAGEM WITH THE HIGHWAYMEN, 433

23. THE MISSOURI LAWYER OUTWITTED, 489

24. A RASH COURTSHIP, 521

25. FEARFUL DREAM OF OLD MR. BROOKS, 549

26. RESCUE OF NELLIE WILSON, 577

27. RESCUE OF THE WILL, 585

28. THE TWO SISTERS COURTING COL. NOVENA IN HIS LIBRARY, 595

29. THE "HONEST" COUNTERFEIT MONEY SPECULATOR, 639

30. CATCHING A FLAT, 659

PUBLISHERS' INTRODUCTION.

Deeming that the public would be deeply interested to know, indeed had a right to know, something more of the author of the following work than gleams through the series of entertaining, instructive, and in many respects unparalleled articles which constitute "Knots Untied," we applied to him for his Autobiography, in details covering other portions of, and facts in his life, than are revealed in the wonderful experiences of his professional career, as brought to light in these articles.

But we were met by a reply, characteristic of most men of deeds rather than of words, that it would be wholly against his taste to furnish his own personal history: he was in 'no wise desirous to vaunt himself,' he said; 'he had not sought,' he continued, by the articles in question, to illustrate himself, or to play the part of a hero in any measure, but merely to contribute to the current literature and the history of the times a narration of sundry interesting facts, which, in their hidden and secret nature, are usually withheld from the general public.

Throughout this book Officer McWatters has shown the modesty of a retiring and unassuming man; making no further allusion to himself, and his deeds and experiences, than necessary to sustain the thread of the narratives. He desired that the book should stand upon its own merits, without any adventitious aid from the high indorsements of his own daily life and personal character, such as will be found in what follows. He would, so far as the book is concerned, be judged as an officer and an author, rather than by the merits of his own private life, be they great or small. In this he evinced a commendable pride and a good sense which we could not question.

Nevertheless we considered it fitting that we add to the book such facts as we might possess ourselves of regarding the career of a man whose life has been given, in so great part, to deeds of good, heartfully and freely done, and to humanitary reforms, as has Officer McWatters'.

For it is not strictly and merely in the capacity of a successful officer or as a spirited and graceful writer that "the Literary Policeman" (as the journals of New York are wont to distinguish Officer McWatters) has done his best works. Officer McWatters is, _par excellence_, a humanitarian, a gentleman of the widest tolerance and liberality of opinions, as is evinced in various parts of the narratives, which exhibit nothing of that cruel and tyrannical spirit so common to men who have much to do with the criminal classes. It is rather by kindness than severity that he would deal with the erring.

Officer McWatters, being unwilling to supply his Autobiography; and being ourselves without sufficient notes to furnish the public with the biographical comments which we considered so desirable concerning him, we intrusted the matter of writing his personal history to a well known literary gentleman of New York, with directions to him to put into form whatever he could authentically gather of a nature interesting to the reading public in general, concerning the author of "Knots Untied."