July 15, 2022 • 27 mins
The second episode in Nick Carter's Ghost Story (chapters 3 & 4) further complicate the strange case of the missing jewels. Is our master detective truly stumped? Let's find out!
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Hi, everyone.
And welcome again to anotherepisode of forward into the
past.
I am JC Rede, your host andnarrator.
And today we're picking up wherewe left off in the mysterious.
Nick Carter's go story exactly.
As it appeared in the weeklystory paper, the New York weekly
way back in 1894.
(00:21):
Story papers have a long andvaried history.
The weekly story papers weresold in major cities around the
us and the UK as well.
Across the pond.
They were known as pennydreadfuls and other, such quirky
names as befitting our neighborsacross the sea.
The stories that appeared instory papers were almost always
(00:43):
re-used in what were known asdime novels, which like story
papers began to appear in themid 18 hundreds.
During the civil war, it was notuncommon to send a soldier
fighting in a skirmish in acompletely different state, a
dime novel so that he could readit during downtimes and in
between battles.
(01:03):
It is said that even presidentAbraham Lincoln carried a dime
novel in his inside coat pocketto distract himself from the
horrors that surrounded him andindeed the entire country.
Dime novels generally ranged insize from paperback book size to
magazine size.
Now to make matters worse dimenovels, ranged in price as well,
(01:27):
anywhere from 5 cents up to 15cents.
Competition was fierce in the1890s.
Nick Carter's New York, weeklystories were reprinted in his
own weekly dime novel series.
The Nick Carter library.
Thanks to the publishingcompetition between the
publishing houses of street andSmith, Frank talcy and others,
(01:50):
many weekly stories were usedagain and again, to add luster
to new formats dried out by allthe houses.
Street and Smith, the publishersof the Nick Carter stories
excelled at it.
Nick's stories were at varioustimes, part of the New York
weekly story paper.
The Nick Carter library and thenew Nick Carter weekly.
(02:15):
The main difference in thelibrary version, being 32 pages
long and costing 10 cents makingit a true dime novel.
And the weekly version beingslightly smaller, but about the
same number of pages.
And costing only a nickel.
The library stories were usuallyprinted with black and white
illustrations on the cover.
(02:35):
But the nickel weeklies wereusing a vibrant color cover
printed on better quality paper.
To make matters, even worse werethe thick books, which were also
printed by various print houses,but especially street and Smith.
But I will leave the discussionof those for a later podcast.
(02:56):
Because I would really like toget back to Nick.
Carter's go story.
If you will indulge me.
In our last episode, our masterdetective Nick Carter was told
the story of the vanishingjewelry pieces from one of the
grandest mansions in the U S atthe time, the Plummer house in
long island.
Assuming the theft was due tothe fact that most mansions had
(03:19):
secret passages and entrywaysfor servants.
Nick nonetheless took the case.
Mainly for the curiousinsistence that the current
owner of the Plummer propertyColonel Richmond was making that
the jewels were being stolen bya ghost.
Is it really a ghost?
Or is someone really behind thethievery?
(03:41):
And should the jewels stay withColonel Richmond's daughter Mrs.
Pond.
Or should they go to the poormiss Millie Stevens instead?
Well, let's find out as we goforward into the past, once
again and crack open the casefile of Nick Carter's ghost
story.
Chapter three, how Nick foundthe jewels.
(04:06):
It certainly looked like sheerrecklessness for this thief,
whoever he might be to play hisgame on Nick almost at the very
moment when the great detectiveappeared upon the scene.
Shrewd as Nick was, he had notexpected this.
His first thought as the readerknows was that it was a bold
challenge.
The defiance of a nervy criminalwho thought himself absolutely
(04:28):
safe from detection.
But a moment's reflection madethis seem less probable.
Was it not more natural tosuppose that this event proved
that the detective was unknownto the thief.
Such being the case.
Colonel Richmond, his nephew andMrs.
Pond were acquitted at thestart.
(04:48):
It may seem ridiculous tosuspect them in any case, but so
strange with the nature of thisaffair that Nick gave nobody the
credit of certain innocence.
Colonel Richmond was certainlyvery, nearly crazy on one point.
He might be so much of a lunaticas to commit these robberies
from simple delusion.
Or he might wish to prove hisdaughter, that the diamonds were
(05:12):
not rightfully hers.
Mrs pond.
Might be pawning them for smallextravagances, which she was
afraid to have known.
As to Horace Richmond.
There was no motive, whichseemed plausible.
The value of the articles takenwas so small as to make the game
not worthwhile for a man in hisposition.
And it was perfectly certainthat no professional thief or
(05:36):
dishonest servant was doing thework.
If such a person had been in thegame.
He would not have taken one ofthose diamond pins.
He would've taken all three.
It was impossible to lose sightof the fact that the Stephensons
would be the real gainers.
If this ghost business ledColonel Richmond.
To insist that his daughtershould give up the jewels.
(05:58):
Mrs.
Stevens and her daughter couldnot be doing the job personally.
But they might have a secretagent among the servants.
Or more probably concealed insome secret recess of the
strange old house.
Nick resolved to go see Mrs.
And Ms.
Stevens without delay.
He hoped to judge by theirconduct, whether they knew
anything about the robberies.
(06:20):
These thoughts passed throughhis mind in a flash.
He quickly searched the room tobe sure that the thief was not
concealed in it.
And then descended to the mainhall.
The outer door was open andColonel Richmond and his
daughter were standing on thesteps.
Just as Nick joined them, HoraceRichmond strolled up.
They all stood looking at acarriage, which was coming up
(06:41):
the driveway.
Why, it's Mrs.
Stephens, exclaimed.
Mrs.
Pond.
I thought you said she did notcome here anymore.
Well, she hasn't been here insome time, responded the
Colonel.
I've thought that she avoided usbecause of the matter of the
jewels.
Nothing more could be said onthe subject for, at that moment,
the carriage drew up before thedoor.
(07:02):
Colonel Richmond advancedcourteously and assisted Mrs.
Stevens to alight.
Nick noticed that once that shewas much agitated.
Colonel Richmond asked her intothe house, but she said that she
preferred to sit on the veranda.
She had come on business andwould stay, but a moment.
She evidently wished to speak tothe Colonel privately.
And so the others stepped aside.
(07:24):
But Nick's eye was upon thewoman every moment.
Very few words had passedbetween them when the Colonel
uttered a cry and called toNick.
The detective instantlyadvanced.
He made a sign to Richmond, butit was not understood.
And the Colonel introduced Nickby his right name.
Here is an extraordinary thing,Mr.
Carter, he said, we now haveproof positive that this affair
(07:48):
is not the work of mortal hands.
What is that?
Asked Nick.
The jewels have appeared.
Where.
In Mrs.
Steven's house.
They have been mysteriouslytransported there without human
aid.
I should be glad to have thatproven said, Nick.
It shall be said the Colonel.
Tell your story, Mrs.
Stevens, if you please.
(08:09):
It is very simple.
She said, This noon.
When I returned to my room afterlunch, I found upon my dressing
table, certain pieces ofjewelry, which I recognized as
having belonged to the late Ms.
Lavina Richmond.
I knew them well.
Nothing that I can imagine couldhave surprised me more than to
find them there.
(08:29):
I have no explanation to offer.
I can't explain how it happened.
Nick could explain it veryeasily.
At least so far as theappearance of the jewels in that
particular place was concerned.
It looked like a naturaldevelopment of the plot.
But his face expressed noemotion as he asked, who had
access to that room?
Nobody.
Replied Mrs.
(08:50):
Stephens.
It was locked.
Is it customary for you to lockyour bedroom door when you go to
lunch?
No, it is quite unusual.
But we have a new servant to thehouse.
And as I had considerable moneyin the room, I took that
precaution.
All the doors were locked.
I had the key to one of them.
The others were on the inside ofthe locks.
(09:13):
When I went to lunch, the jewelswere not there when I returned
there.
They were.
That is all that I know aboutit.
Here they are.
She drew from her pocket as shespoke a small cardboard box.
The woman was making heroicefforts to be calm.
But it seemed as if she mighteither faint or go into
hysterics at any moment.
Was she playing a game that wastoo hard for her.
(09:36):
That was the question for Nickto answer.
And yet when he looked at thisgentle refined woman, he hardly
had the heart to suspect her ofany dishonesty.
I will show you the jewels.
She said, struggling to commandher voice.
You can then see whether theyare all here.
Her trembling hands could hardlyfind the string which was tied
about the box.
(09:57):
While she pulled at it.
She kept talking as if she mustdo it to relieve her
overburdened mind.
She described the articles ofjewelry, which were in the box.
They are the very ones.
said the Colonel.
As he uttered the words, thestring was loosened and the
cover fell off the box.
There was a sharp cry.
It came from Mrs.
Pond who with Horace hadapproached during the scene.
(10:20):
Why there's one of my diamondpins.
She exclaimed.
How on earth did it come to bethere?
Well, if Mrs.
Pond was surprised, she wasn't abit more so than Nick Carter.
The pin referred to was the onewhich had been stolen from the
cushion in Mrs.
Pond's dressing room, not 10minutes before.
Why, this is impossible criedMrs.
(10:41):
Pond.
I left that pin with two otherslike it in my room.
Without saying another word.
She turned and ran into thehouse.
Almost immediately, her voicewas heard in the hall.
It's gone.
She cried.
It's been taken out of mybedroom.
She appeared at the door with avery white face, but her
excitement was nothing to thatof Mrs.
(11:01):
Stevens.
Nick dropped the role ofdetective and assumed that of
doctor in less than a second.
When he had saved Mrs.
Stevens from an attack ofhysterics, he said, I was aware
that that pin had been taken.
It was done while I was in yourroom.
Mrs pond.
The circumstances were exactlythe same as those attending the
other robberies.
But I did not put it in the box.
(11:23):
Exclaimed, Mrs Stevens.
It was not among the jewels,which I found.
She turned to Colonel Richmond.
Her face was ghastly pale.
I have scorned your belief shesaid, but now.
I am convinced.
No mortal being could have donethis thing.
What do you say to that?
Mr.
Carter cried the Colonel withflashing eyes.
(11:43):
I would like to ask a fewquestions.
Rejoined Nick.
Were you alone when you putthose jewels in the box?
I was.
Has it been in your possessionever since.
It has not been out of my care.
Did you tell anybody about thefinding of the jewels?
Nobody.
Please describe everything thathappened after you found them.
I was of course, greatlyagitated.
(12:05):
I did not know what to do.
For some time I sat staring atthe jewels and trying to think
what was my proper course.
At last, I took this box fromthe drawer of my dressing table
and put the jewels in it.
Then I call to the servant whowas in the dining room and asked
her to see that the carriage wasgot ready for though.
It is a long drive.
(12:26):
I had resolved to make itbecause I felt safer in that
way.
Did you go out of your room tocall the girl?
Only into the hall.
Who could have got in your roomwhile you were out?
Nobody.
Where was your daughter?
In her own room.
How do you know.
I called to her after I haddressed and she answered me.
I told her that I was going todrive over here and she was very
(12:49):
much surprised.
I did not tell her why.
Did you meet anybody on the wayover who spoke to you or came to
the side of your carriage?
Nobody.
That is all I wish to ask.
In fact, Nick had no morequestions.
He was really at a loss for anexplanation of this strange
occurrence.
If the pin had been taken fromthe room.
(13:11):
By a person concealed in thehouse.
It might've been possible thatthe person had escape from the
grounds unseen and had given itto Mrs.
Stephens.
There was hardly time for such atrick to have been done, but in
so strange a case, everypossibility was to be
considered.
If such a thing had been done itmust've been very near to the
(13:31):
house.
The thief must have known whenMrs.
Stevens was coming or she musthave waited for him just outside
the Colonel's grounds.
There was a place where the roadwas heavily fringed with trees,
not more than a hundred yardsfrom the Colonel's gate.
The trick must have been donethere.
If at all.
Nick resolve to settle thissmall point, if possible,
(13:51):
immediately.
It was of no use to ask the manwho had driven Mrs.
Steven's horse.
Of course he would lie if therewas any need of it.
So Nick excused himself from thegroup on the pretext that he was
going to search Mrs.
Pond's rooms again.
He remembered that just afterMrs.
Stevens had arrived, a wagonbelonging to the Colonel had
(14:12):
driven into the grounds.
He quietly looked up the twoservants who had been in this
wagon.
They told him that theyremembered seeing Mrs.
Stevens drive up.
She had passed them on the road.
They had had her carriageinsight for a mile before it
turned into Colonel Richmond'sgrounds.
Her horse had been driven at agood pace.
It had not stopped.
(14:33):
Nobody had approached thecarriage.
Nick was convinced that the menwere telling the truth.
Then how had Mrs.
Stevens obtain that pin?
Her possession of the otherarticles might've explained.
But the pin was a stickler.
Chapter four.
Millie Stevens.
(14:55):
After questioning the two menwhom he had found in the stable,
Nick walked toward the house.
On the way he met HoraceRichmond.
And Mrs.
Stevens has gone home.
Said Horace.
She would not remain for dinner.
Although she has such a longride before her.
She seems terribly distressed bythe strange affair.
What did your uncle say to her?
(15:16):
Not much, was the reply and Iwas a good deal surprised.
He begged her not to be nervousabout it and talked very
pleasantly to her.
But he steered clear of thematter of the jewels.
I don't understand it.
I thought he would insist uponwhat he calls a restitution of
the property.
Perhaps after all, said Nick.
(15:36):
He isn't so far off his base onthe ghost question, as you think
he is.
Don't you deceive yourself aboutthat?
He is just as sure that his auntspirit removed those jewels as
you are, that that house isresting on its foundations.
And I wouldn't try to shake hisbelief just now continued Horace
seriously.
Simply say nothing about theaffair this evening.
(15:57):
Uh, talk about something else tohim.
Stay with us as long as you canand quietly look the ground
over, then tell me privatelywhat you think.
This advice seemed good to Nick.
He passed a quiet evening in thehouse and nobody but Mrs.
Pawn referred to the robberies.
Horace managed to quiet herquickly.
But the next morning afterbreakfast, she came to Nick with
(16:20):
a very long face.
My father has been talking tome.
She said, And I'm going to losethose jewels surely unless you
do something and do it fairlyquickly.
I don't care for their value,but they're mine by right.
And I mean, to keep them if Ican, but of course I can't bear
to make my father's lifemiserable.
(16:40):
It will probably end by mycompelling, my husband to let me
give them up.
Nick had his doubts about thepossibility of such a thing.
And they were made certaintiesvery soon afterward.
Mr pond arrived unexpectedly.
When the story was told him, hedanced the war dance as our
young friend, Patsy might'veexpressed it.
You don't seem to realize theimportance of this matter.
(17:03):
He exclaimed why it's a milliondollar robbery.
That's what it is.
If we give up the jewels, thecolonel will give us their value
.By Jingo, he'll have to.
Well, what's that, but the theftof a million from him.
Nick was compelled to confessthat it was just that and
nothing else.
And who'll reap the proceedscontinued pond.
(17:25):
Why the Stevenses of course.
Nobody else gets anything out ofit.
They're playing on the Colonelsuperstitions for a million
dollar stake.
Now Mr.
Carter.
You go ahead and work this thingout.
Catch the thief.
Don't let the Colonel get youout of the way.
If there's a question of money,I'm good.
For the best fee you can name.
(17:46):
Nick's first move that day wasto go to Mrs.
Steven's house.
She lived well on her smallincome.
It was a nice old country housewith grounds of considerable
extent and a stable in which twogood horses were kept.
Nick rode over there on one ofColonel richmond's fine saddle
horses.
As the detective wrote up thewinding shaded walk toward the
(18:08):
house, he noticed a man servantjust ahead of him.
The servant had a newspaper andsome letters in his hand.
He seemed to have come from thevillage post office.
Leaning over the railing of theveranda as if waiting for the
servant.
Was one of the handsomest girlsNick had ever seen.
She was a beauty of the dashingdark eyed type.
(18:30):
A girl of courage and strongwill.
The servant gave her the lettersjust as Nick had come into site.
He not only gave her those, hehad been carrying in his hand.
But he drew one from his pocketwith a motion that suggested
secrecy.
Nick rode up to the veranda,introduced himself and asked to
see Mrs.
Stephens.
(18:50):
Let James take your horse, saidthe girl.
Come into the house.
If you please, I will speak tomy mother.
Nick went into the cool andpretty parlor.
Ms.
Stevens left the room for amoment and then returned with
her mother.
The detective spoke of theoccurrences of the day before
and requested permission to seethe room in which the jewelry
had.
(19:10):
So mysteriously appeared.
While they were talking, thus ithappened that Ms.
Stevens drew her handkerchieffrom her pocket.
And as she did, so two littlepieces of paper fell to the
floor.
So she's read that letter andtorn it up so soon.
Was Nick's silent comment.
Almost immediately.
Mrs.
Steven said.
(19:31):
There's mail on the table,mother.
I forgot to give it to you.
There are several letters.
Mrs.
Stevens glanced at theaddresses.
They are all for me.
She said, was there nothing foryou.
No indeed cried the girl.
There's nobody who writesletters to me.
Lies to her mother does she?
Said Nick to himself.
(19:51):
Well, It begins to look bad forher.
Ms.
Stevens did not notice the bitsof paper on the floor and Nick
by clever work, succeeded ingetting possession of them.
Then by Mrs.
Steven's permission.
He went to look at the roomalready referred to.
No sooner was he there, then hegot rid of the lady upon some
plausible excuse and so had anopportunity of examining the
(20:13):
bits of paper.
They were ordinary letter paper,impossible to trace.
One bit was blank on both sides.
The other bore, some queerlittle marks, but no writing.
To Nick, the marks were quiteclear.
They were the dots and dashes ofthe Morse telegraphic, alphabet.
(20:33):
They represented the letters.
N T B.
E T R A written very small on anarrow scrap, not more than an
inch long.
Don't betray muttered Nick.
Worse and worse.
Ms.
Stevens will evidently bearwatching.
(20:53):
As to the room, his inspectionof it was of little use.
He had not expected much.
He had come to see Ms.
Stevens principally.
And in her case, theinvestigation had certainly
begun better than he could havereasonably expected.
She was engaged in some secretaffair.
She concealed letters from hermother.
She had bribed one of theservants.
(21:15):
This last fact was proven by thematter in which the letter had
been delivered to her.
As he was turning these mattersover in his mind Mrs.
Stevens and her daughter enteredthe room.
What have you discovered Mr.
Carter?
Asked the girl.
You must know that my mother hastold me all about this strange
affair and I am deeplyinterested.
I have learned nothing.
(21:36):
said Nick.
Except that this room could beeasily entered, even when the
doors are locked.
Uh, take this door leading tothe rear room, for instance.
The key was on this side.
It is true.
But it turns very easily.
A person with a pair of nipperscould get in without trouble and
lock the door afterward.
I can't tell from the appearanceof the key, whether or not this
(21:58):
was done, but I think itprobable.
You mean that somebody came inhere while mother was at lunch
and put the jewels where theywere found.
Exactly.
But who could it have been?
I don't know, answered Nick,frankly.
And how do you explain thepresence of that other pin in
the box?
Asked Mrs.
Stevens.
(22:19):
There is an explanation saidNick.
But I prefer not to give it now.
As you please responded the ladyhaughtily.
I can only say that I trust youwill find this thief, speedily
and end this annoyance to whichwe are being subjected.
I don't think it ought to behard for a person of your
abilities.
Said, Ms.
Stephens.
I have already solved thepuzzle.
(22:40):
Hmm.
And who is the guilty person?
Asked Nick with a smile.
Well, Colonel Richmond, ofcourse.
Why should he do this?
because he is crazy.
That's reason enough.
I'd like to hear you explainyour theory a little further.
Why Mr.
Carter I'm surprised at you.
Is there any motive for thisso-called crime?
(23:01):
No.
Then it must be a crazy person'swork.
Is there more than one lunaticamong us?
Certainly not.
So as two and two, make four,and the sun does not rise in the
west.
Colonel Richmond is the man.
What kind of a detective youthink I'd make.
There isn't one alive who couldcompare with you.
(23:23):
said Nick.
You're joking.
No I'm serious.
There are plenty of detectiveswho can reason up to the wrong
man.
But none I'm sure who can do itso quickly as you can.
Mrs.
Stevens laughed at herdaughter's discomfiture and the
girl joined heartedly.
Now supposing for a moment thatyour theory is true.
Continued Nick.
(23:44):
How do you suppose at ColonelRichmond managed to get the
jewels over here?
The girl became serious in amoment.
This is a very delicate subject.
She said.
I hate to cast suspicion uponanyone.
Oh, you refer to the new servantof course.
Well, we know nothing of thegirl said, Mrs.
Stevens.
And of course when anything sostrange happens in the house, we
(24:08):
naturally think of her.
She brought good references andshe certainly looks honest.
Did she have an opportunity toput the jewels into this room?
As to that, I have talked itover with my daughter.
And it seems just possible thatthe girl could have done it.
I thought at first that it wasnot.
Of course it was possibleexclaimed, Ms.
(24:28):
Stevens.
She could have run up thebackstairs at any time.
She proceeded to explain thistheory until it seemed quite
plausible.
And yet all the time she wasfilling the detective's mind
with the blackest suspicionsagainst herself.
Here was the case.
The plotters were trying to workon Colonel Richmond's
superstitions.
(24:50):
A celebrated detective had beencalled in.
If he succeeded the plottersfailed.
And the Stevenson's lost theirjewels.
What more natural than that thecriminals should wish to throw
the detective on a wrong scent.
Was it not to be expected thatthey should pitch upon this new
service as the best person withwhom to deceive Nick.
(25:10):
Altogether Ms.
Stephens was making out of verystrong case.
Against herself.
Okay, what is going on here?
Is our master detective actuallystumped.
How are all these strange thingshappening?
Is Millie Stevens reallyplotting this whole thing just
(25:31):
to drive Colonel Richmondinsane.
Or who could be behind thisghostly encounter?
Well tune in next time foranother thrilling episode of
Nick Carter's ghost story.
Once again, I want to give ahuge shout out to the good folks
at project Gutenberg forproviding this fine story for me
(25:51):
to share with you.
All their eBooks are availablefor you or anyone to download
and enjoy completely free.
Don't forget the support, theshow gang.
When you support the showthrough the support, the show
link, or the buy me a coffeelink on our main webpage.
You helped support projectGutenberg as well.
(26:11):
As I will always donate aportion back to them for
providing such wonderful storiesto share.
And there are thousands.
Okay until next time, guys.
Thanks for listening.
Keep sharing the stories and bea good human.
Bye for now.
Hi, everyone.
And welcome again to anotherepisode of forward into the
past.
I am JC Rede, your host andnarrator.
And today we're picking up wherewe left off in the mysterious.
Nick Carter's go story exactly.
As it appeared in the weeklystory paper, the New York weekly
way back in 1894.
(00:21):
Story papers have a long andvaried history.
The weekly story papers weresold in major cities around the
us and the UK as well.
Across the pond.
They were known as pennydreadfuls and other, such quirky
names as befitting our neighborsacross the sea.
The stories that appeared instory papers were almost always
(00:43):
re-used in what were known asdime novels, which like story
papers began to appear in themid 18 hundreds.
During the civil war, it was notuncommon to send a soldier
fighting in a skirmish in acompletely different state, a
dime novel so that he could readit during downtimes and in
between battles.
(01:03):
It is said that even presidentAbraham Lincoln carried a dime
novel in his inside coat pocketto distract himself from the
horrors that surrounded him andindeed the entire country.
Dime novels generally ranged insize from paperback book size to
magazine size.
Now to make matters worse dimenovels, ranged in price as well,
(01:27):
anywhere from 5 cents up to 15cents.
Competition was fierce in the1890s.
Nick Carter's New York, weeklystories were reprinted in his
own weekly dime novel series.
The Nick Carter library.
Thanks to the publishingcompetition between the
publishing houses of street andSmith, Frank talcy and others,
(01:50):
many weekly stories were usedagain and again, to add luster
to new formats dried out by allthe houses.
Street and Smith, the publishersof the Nick Carter stories
excelled at it.
Nick's stories were at varioustimes, part of the New York
weekly story paper.
The Nick Carter library and thenew Nick Carter weekly.
(02:15):
The main difference in thelibrary version, being 32 pages
long and costing 10 cents makingit a true dime novel.
And the weekly version beingslightly smaller, but about the
same number of pages.
And costing only a nickel.
The library stories were usuallyprinted with black and white
illustrations on the cover.
(02:35):
But the nickel weeklies wereusing a vibrant color cover
printed on better quality paper.
To make matters, even worse werethe thick books, which were also
printed by various print houses,but especially street and Smith.
But I will leave the discussionof those for a later podcast.
(02:56):
Because I would really like toget back to Nick.
Carter's go story.
If you will indulge me.
In our last episode, our masterdetective Nick Carter was told
the story of the vanishingjewelry pieces from one of the
grandest mansions in the U S atthe time, the Plummer house in
long island.
Assuming the theft was due tothe fact that most mansions had
(03:19):
secret passages and entrywaysfor servants.
Nick nonetheless took the case.
Mainly for the curiousinsistence that the current
owner of the Plummer propertyColonel Richmond was making that
the jewels were being stolen bya ghost.
Is it really a ghost?
Or is someone really behind thethievery?
(03:41):
And should the jewels stay withColonel Richmond's daughter Mrs.
Pond.
Or should they go to the poormiss Millie Stevens instead?
Well, let's find out as we goforward into the past, once
again and crack open the casefile of Nick Carter's ghost
story.
Chapter three, how Nick foundthe jewels.
(04:06):
It certainly looked like sheerrecklessness for this thief,
whoever he might be to play hisgame on Nick almost at the very
moment when the great detectiveappeared upon the scene.
Shrewd as Nick was, he had notexpected this.
His first thought as the readerknows was that it was a bold
challenge.
The defiance of a nervy criminalwho thought himself absolutely
(04:28):
safe from detection.
But a moment's reflection madethis seem less probable.
Was it not more natural tosuppose that this event proved
that the detective was unknownto the thief.
Such being the case.
Colonel Richmond, his nephew andMrs.
Pond were acquitted at thestart.
(04:48):
It may seem ridiculous tosuspect them in any case, but so
strange with the nature of thisaffair that Nick gave nobody the
credit of certain innocence.
Colonel Richmond was certainlyvery, nearly crazy on one point.
He might be so much of a lunaticas to commit these robberies
from simple delusion.
Or he might wish to prove hisdaughter, that the diamonds were
(05:12):
not rightfully hers.
Mrs pond.
Might be pawning them for smallextravagances, which she was
afraid to have known.
As to Horace Richmond.
There was no motive, whichseemed plausible.
The value of the articles takenwas so small as to make the game
not worthwhile for a man in hisposition.
And it was perfectly certainthat no professional thief or
(05:36):
dishonest servant was doing thework.
If such a person had been in thegame.
He would not have taken one ofthose diamond pins.
He would've taken all three.
It was impossible to lose sightof the fact that the Stephensons
would be the real gainers.
If this ghost business ledColonel Richmond.
To insist that his daughtershould give up the jewels.
(05:58):
Mrs.
Stevens and her daughter couldnot be doing the job personally.
But they might have a secretagent among the servants.
Or more probably concealed insome secret recess of the
strange old house.
Nick resolved to go see Mrs.
And Ms.
Stevens without delay.
He hoped to judge by theirconduct, whether they knew
anything about the robberies.
(06:20):
These thoughts passed throughhis mind in a flash.
He quickly searched the room tobe sure that the thief was not
concealed in it.
And then descended to the mainhall.
The outer door was open andColonel Richmond and his
daughter were standing on thesteps.
Just as Nick joined them, HoraceRichmond strolled up.
They all stood looking at acarriage, which was coming up
(06:41):
the driveway.
Why, it's Mrs.
Stephens, exclaimed.
Mrs.
Pond.
I thought you said she did notcome here anymore.
Well, she hasn't been here insome time, responded the
Colonel.
I've thought that she avoided usbecause of the matter of the
jewels.
Nothing more could be said onthe subject for, at that moment,
the carriage drew up before thedoor.
(07:02):
Colonel Richmond advancedcourteously and assisted Mrs.
Stevens to alight.
Nick noticed that once that shewas much agitated.
Colonel Richmond asked her intothe house, but she said that she
preferred to sit on the veranda.
She had come on business andwould stay, but a moment.
She evidently wished to speak tothe Colonel privately.
And so the others stepped aside.
(07:24):
But Nick's eye was upon thewoman every moment.
Very few words had passedbetween them when the Colonel
uttered a cry and called toNick.
The detective instantlyadvanced.
He made a sign to Richmond, butit was not understood.
And the Colonel introduced Nickby his right name.
Here is an extraordinary thing,Mr.
Carter, he said, we now haveproof positive that this affair
(07:48):
is not the work of mortal hands.
What is that?
Asked Nick.
The jewels have appeared.
Where.
In Mrs.
Steven's house.
They have been mysteriouslytransported there without human
aid.
I should be glad to have thatproven said, Nick.
It shall be said the Colonel.
Tell your story, Mrs.
Stevens, if you please.
(08:09):
It is very simple.
She said, This noon.
When I returned to my room afterlunch, I found upon my dressing
table, certain pieces ofjewelry, which I recognized as
having belonged to the late Ms.
Lavina Richmond.
I knew them well.
Nothing that I can imagine couldhave surprised me more than to
find them there.
(08:29):
I have no explanation to offer.
I can't explain how it happened.
Nick could explain it veryeasily.
At least so far as theappearance of the jewels in that
particular place was concerned.
It looked like a naturaldevelopment of the plot.
But his face expressed noemotion as he asked, who had
access to that room?
Nobody.
Replied Mrs.
(08:50):
Stephens.
It was locked.
Is it customary for you to lockyour bedroom door when you go to
lunch?
No, it is quite unusual.
But we have a new servant to thehouse.
And as I had considerable moneyin the room, I took that
precaution.
All the doors were locked.
I had the key to one of them.
The others were on the inside ofthe locks.
(09:13):
When I went to lunch, the jewelswere not there when I returned
there.
They were.
That is all that I know aboutit.
Here they are.
She drew from her pocket as shespoke a small cardboard box.
The woman was making heroicefforts to be calm.
But it seemed as if she mighteither faint or go into
hysterics at any moment.
Was she playing a game that wastoo hard for her.
(09:36):
That was the question for Nickto answer.
And yet when he looked at thisgentle refined woman, he hardly
had the heart to suspect her ofany dishonesty.
I will show you the jewels.
She said, struggling to commandher voice.
You can then see whether theyare all here.
Her trembling hands could hardlyfind the string which was tied
about the box.
(09:57):
While she pulled at it.
She kept talking as if she mustdo it to relieve her
overburdened mind.
She described the articles ofjewelry, which were in the box.
They are the very ones.
said the Colonel.
As he uttered the words, thestring was loosened and the
cover fell off the box.
There was a sharp cry.
It came from Mrs.
Pond who with Horace hadapproached during the scene.
(10:20):
Why there's one of my diamondpins.
She exclaimed.
How on earth did it come to bethere?
Well, if Mrs.
Pond was surprised, she wasn't abit more so than Nick Carter.
The pin referred to was the onewhich had been stolen from the
cushion in Mrs.
Pond's dressing room, not 10minutes before.
Why, this is impossible criedMrs.
(10:41):
Pond.
I left that pin with two otherslike it in my room.
Without saying another word.
She turned and ran into thehouse.
Almost immediately, her voicewas heard in the hall.
It's gone.
She cried.
It's been taken out of mybedroom.
She appeared at the door with avery white face, but her
excitement was nothing to thatof Mrs.
(11:01):
Stevens.
Nick dropped the role ofdetective and assumed that of
doctor in less than a second.
When he had saved Mrs.
Stevens from an attack ofhysterics, he said, I was aware
that that pin had been taken.
It was done while I was in yourroom.
Mrs pond.
The circumstances were exactlythe same as those attending the
other robberies.
But I did not put it in the box.
(11:23):
Exclaimed, Mrs Stevens.
It was not among the jewels,which I found.
She turned to Colonel Richmond.
Her face was ghastly pale.
I have scorned your belief shesaid, but now.
I am convinced.
No mortal being could have donethis thing.
What do you say to that?
Mr.
Carter cried the Colonel withflashing eyes.
(11:43):
I would like to ask a fewquestions.
Rejoined Nick.
Were you alone when you putthose jewels in the box?
I was.
Has it been in your possessionever since.
It has not been out of my care.
Did you tell anybody about thefinding of the jewels?
Nobody.
Please describe everything thathappened after you found them.
I was of course, greatlyagitated.
(12:05):
I did not know what to do.
For some time I sat staring atthe jewels and trying to think
what was my proper course.
At last, I took this box fromthe drawer of my dressing table
and put the jewels in it.
Then I call to the servant whowas in the dining room and asked
her to see that the carriage wasgot ready for though.
It is a long drive.
(12:26):
I had resolved to make itbecause I felt safer in that
way.
Did you go out of your room tocall the girl?
Only into the hall.
Who could have got in your roomwhile you were out?
Nobody.
Where was your daughter?
In her own room.
How do you know.
I called to her after I haddressed and she answered me.
I told her that I was going todrive over here and she was very
(12:49):
much surprised.
I did not tell her why.
Did you meet anybody on the wayover who spoke to you or came to
the side of your carriage?
Nobody.
That is all I wish to ask.
In fact, Nick had no morequestions.
He was really at a loss for anexplanation of this strange
occurrence.
If the pin had been taken fromthe room.
(13:11):
By a person concealed in thehouse.
It might've been possible thatthe person had escape from the
grounds unseen and had given itto Mrs.
Stephens.
There was hardly time for such atrick to have been done, but in
so strange a case, everypossibility was to be
considered.
If such a thing had been done itmust've been very near to the
(13:31):
house.
The thief must have known whenMrs.
Stevens was coming or she musthave waited for him just outside
the Colonel's grounds.
There was a place where the roadwas heavily fringed with trees,
not more than a hundred yardsfrom the Colonel's gate.
The trick must have been donethere.
If at all.
Nick resolve to settle thissmall point, if possible,
(13:51):
immediately.
It was of no use to ask the manwho had driven Mrs.
Steven's horse.
Of course he would lie if therewas any need of it.
So Nick excused himself from thegroup on the pretext that he was
going to search Mrs.
Pond's rooms again.
He remembered that just afterMrs.
Stevens had arrived, a wagonbelonging to the Colonel had
(14:12):
driven into the grounds.
He quietly looked up the twoservants who had been in this
wagon.
They told him that theyremembered seeing Mrs.
Stevens drive up.
She had passed them on the road.
They had had her carriageinsight for a mile before it
turned into Colonel Richmond'sgrounds.
Her horse had been driven at agood pace.
It had not stopped.
(14:33):
Nobody had approached thecarriage.
Nick was convinced that the menwere telling the truth.
Then how had Mrs.
Stevens obtain that pin?
Her possession of the otherarticles might've explained.
But the pin was a stickler.
Chapter four.
Millie Stevens.
(14:55):
After questioning the two menwhom he had found in the stable,
Nick walked toward the house.
On the way he met HoraceRichmond.
And Mrs.
Stevens has gone home.
Said Horace.
She would not remain for dinner.
Although she has such a longride before her.
She seems terribly distressed bythe strange affair.
What did your uncle say to her?
(15:16):
Not much, was the reply and Iwas a good deal surprised.
He begged her not to be nervousabout it and talked very
pleasantly to her.
But he steered clear of thematter of the jewels.
I don't understand it.
I thought he would insist uponwhat he calls a restitution of
the property.
Perhaps after all, said Nick.
(15:36):
He isn't so far off his base onthe ghost question, as you think
he is.
Don't you deceive yourself aboutthat?
He is just as sure that his auntspirit removed those jewels as
you are, that that house isresting on its foundations.
And I wouldn't try to shake hisbelief just now continued Horace
seriously.
Simply say nothing about theaffair this evening.
(15:57):
Uh, talk about something else tohim.
Stay with us as long as you canand quietly look the ground
over, then tell me privatelywhat you think.
This advice seemed good to Nick.
He passed a quiet evening in thehouse and nobody but Mrs.
Pawn referred to the robberies.
Horace managed to quiet herquickly.
But the next morning afterbreakfast, she came to Nick with
(16:20):
a very long face.
My father has been talking tome.
She said, And I'm going to losethose jewels surely unless you
do something and do it fairlyquickly.
I don't care for their value,but they're mine by right.
And I mean, to keep them if Ican, but of course I can't bear
to make my father's lifemiserable.
(16:40):
It will probably end by mycompelling, my husband to let me
give them up.
Nick had his doubts about thepossibility of such a thing.
And they were made certaintiesvery soon afterward.
Mr pond arrived unexpectedly.
When the story was told him, hedanced the war dance as our
young friend, Patsy might'veexpressed it.
You don't seem to realize theimportance of this matter.
(17:03):
He exclaimed why it's a milliondollar robbery.
That's what it is.
If we give up the jewels, thecolonel will give us their value
.By Jingo, he'll have to.
Well, what's that, but the theftof a million from him.
Nick was compelled to confessthat it was just that and
nothing else.
And who'll reap the proceedscontinued pond.
(17:25):
Why the Stevenses of course.
Nobody else gets anything out ofit.
They're playing on the Colonelsuperstitions for a million
dollar stake.
Now Mr.
Carter.
You go ahead and work this thingout.
Catch the thief.
Don't let the Colonel get youout of the way.
If there's a question of money,I'm good.
For the best fee you can name.
(17:46):
Nick's first move that day wasto go to Mrs.
Steven's house.
She lived well on her smallincome.
It was a nice old country housewith grounds of considerable
extent and a stable in which twogood horses were kept.
Nick rode over there on one ofColonel richmond's fine saddle
horses.
As the detective wrote up thewinding shaded walk toward the
(18:08):
house, he noticed a man servantjust ahead of him.
The servant had a newspaper andsome letters in his hand.
He seemed to have come from thevillage post office.
Leaning over the railing of theveranda as if waiting for the
servant.
Was one of the handsomest girlsNick had ever seen.
She was a beauty of the dashingdark eyed type.
(18:30):
A girl of courage and strongwill.
The servant gave her the lettersjust as Nick had come into site.
He not only gave her those, hehad been carrying in his hand.
But he drew one from his pocketwith a motion that suggested
secrecy.
Nick rode up to the veranda,introduced himself and asked to
see Mrs.
Stephens.
(18:50):
Let James take your horse, saidthe girl.
Come into the house.
If you please, I will speak tomy mother.
Nick went into the cool andpretty parlor.
Ms.
Stevens left the room for amoment and then returned with
her mother.
The detective spoke of theoccurrences of the day before
and requested permission to seethe room in which the jewelry
had.
(19:10):
So mysteriously appeared.
While they were talking, thus ithappened that Ms.
Stevens drew her handkerchieffrom her pocket.
And as she did, so two littlepieces of paper fell to the
floor.
So she's read that letter andtorn it up so soon.
Was Nick's silent comment.
Almost immediately.
Mrs.
Steven said.
(19:31):
There's mail on the table,mother.
I forgot to give it to you.
There are several letters.
Mrs.
Stevens glanced at theaddresses.
They are all for me.
She said, was there nothing foryou.
No indeed cried the girl.
There's nobody who writesletters to me.
Lies to her mother does she?
Said Nick to himself.
(19:51):
Well, It begins to look bad forher.
Ms.
Stevens did not notice the bitsof paper on the floor and Nick
by clever work, succeeded ingetting possession of them.
Then by Mrs.
Steven's permission.
He went to look at the roomalready referred to.
No sooner was he there, then hegot rid of the lady upon some
plausible excuse and so had anopportunity of examining the
(20:13):
bits of paper.
They were ordinary letter paper,impossible to trace.
One bit was blank on both sides.
The other bore, some queerlittle marks, but no writing.
To Nick, the marks were quiteclear.
They were the dots and dashes ofthe Morse telegraphic, alphabet.
(20:33):
They represented the letters.
N T B.
E T R A written very small on anarrow scrap, not more than an
inch long.
Don't betray muttered Nick.
Worse and worse.
Ms.
Stevens will evidently bearwatching.
(20:53):
As to the room, his inspectionof it was of little use.
He had not expected much.
He had come to see Ms.
Stevens principally.
And in her case, theinvestigation had certainly
begun better than he could havereasonably expected.
She was engaged in some secretaffair.
She concealed letters from hermother.
She had bribed one of theservants.
(21:15):
This last fact was proven by thematter in which the letter had
been delivered to her.
As he was turning these mattersover in his mind Mrs.
Stevens and her daughter enteredthe room.
What have you discovered Mr.
Carter?
Asked the girl.
You must know that my mother hastold me all about this strange
affair and I am deeplyinterested.
I have learned nothing.
(21:36):
said Nick.
Except that this room could beeasily entered, even when the
doors are locked.
Uh, take this door leading tothe rear room, for instance.
The key was on this side.
It is true.
But it turns very easily.
A person with a pair of nipperscould get in without trouble and
lock the door afterward.
I can't tell from the appearanceof the key, whether or not this
(21:58):
was done, but I think itprobable.
You mean that somebody came inhere while mother was at lunch
and put the jewels where theywere found.
Exactly.
But who could it have been?
I don't know, answered Nick,frankly.
And how do you explain thepresence of that other pin in
the box?
Asked Mrs.
Stevens.
(22:19):
There is an explanation saidNick.
But I prefer not to give it now.
As you please responded the ladyhaughtily.
I can only say that I trust youwill find this thief, speedily
and end this annoyance to whichwe are being subjected.
I don't think it ought to behard for a person of your
abilities.
Said, Ms.
Stephens.
I have already solved thepuzzle.
(22:40):
Hmm.
And who is the guilty person?
Asked Nick with a smile.
Well, Colonel Richmond, ofcourse.
Why should he do this?
because he is crazy.
That's reason enough.
I'd like to hear you explainyour theory a little further.
Why Mr.
Carter I'm surprised at you.
Is there any motive for thisso-called crime?
(23:01):
No.
Then it must be a crazy person'swork.
Is there more than one lunaticamong us?
Certainly not.
So as two and two, make four,and the sun does not rise in the
west.
Colonel Richmond is the man.
What kind of a detective youthink I'd make.
There isn't one alive who couldcompare with you.
(23:23):
said Nick.
You're joking.
No I'm serious.
There are plenty of detectiveswho can reason up to the wrong
man.
But none I'm sure who can do itso quickly as you can.
Mrs.
Stevens laughed at herdaughter's discomfiture and the
girl joined heartedly.
Now supposing for a moment thatyour theory is true.
Continued Nick.
(23:44):
How do you suppose at ColonelRichmond managed to get the
jewels over here?
The girl became serious in amoment.
This is a very delicate subject.
She said.
I hate to cast suspicion uponanyone.
Oh, you refer to the new servantof course.
Well, we know nothing of thegirl said, Mrs.
Stevens.
And of course when anything sostrange happens in the house, we
(24:08):
naturally think of her.
She brought good references andshe certainly looks honest.
Did she have an opportunity toput the jewels into this room?
As to that, I have talked itover with my daughter.
And it seems just possible thatthe girl could have done it.
I thought at first that it wasnot.
Of course it was possibleexclaimed, Ms.
(24:28):
Stevens.
She could have run up thebackstairs at any time.
She proceeded to explain thistheory until it seemed quite
plausible.
And yet all the time she wasfilling the detective's mind
with the blackest suspicionsagainst herself.
Here was the case.
The plotters were trying to workon Colonel Richmond's
superstitions.
(24:50):
A celebrated detective had beencalled in.
If he succeeded the plottersfailed.
And the Stevenson's lost theirjewels.
What more natural than that thecriminals should wish to throw
the detective on a wrong scent.
Was it not to be expected thatthey should pitch upon this new
service as the best person withwhom to deceive Nick.
(25:10):
Altogether Ms.
Stephens was making out of verystrong case.
Against herself.
Okay, what is going on here?
Is our master detective actuallystumped.
How are all these strange thingshappening?
Is Millie Stevens reallyplotting this whole thing just
(25:31):
to drive Colonel Richmondinsane.
Or who could be behind thisghostly encounter?
Well tune in next time foranother thrilling episode of
Nick Carter's ghost story.
Once again, I want to give ahuge shout out to the good folks
at project Gutenberg forproviding this fine story for me
(25:51):
to share with you.
All their eBooks are availablefor you or anyone to download
and enjoy completely free.
Don't forget the support, theshow gang.
When you support the showthrough the support, the show
link, or the buy me a coffeelink on our main webpage.
You helped support projectGutenberg as well.
(26:11):
As I will always donate aportion back to them for
providing such wonderful storiesto share.
And there are thousands.
Okay until next time, guys.
Thanks for listening.
Keep sharing the stories and bea good human.
Bye for now.
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