New Nick Carter Weekly, No. 8 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NS NEW NICK CARTER WEEKLY, 21 As he aia this he put his fingers into his pocket to take out the broken cuff button, which he had not yet mentioned to the captain. He had not shown it before the. door ' opened and an elderly man of very digni- fied appearance came hurriedly in. ‘‘T hope you'll excuse me, Captain Pemberton,’’ he said, “for coming in un- announced, but it is because I’m in a hurry and extremely anxious. I hope you’ll be able to give me a moment of ‘your attention at once.’ “Surely, Mr. Henley,’’ responded Captain Pemberton, rising. ‘‘I think our matter can wait a moment, can it not?”’ The latter question was addressed to Trim, who promptly answered that it could and pushed the broken cuff button back into his pocket. “Is it something ofa ‘private nature, | Mr. Henley?’’ asked the captain of his| visitor. ‘‘Ves and no,’’ was the response, with a hesitating glance at Trim. ‘‘Ishouldn’t care to have the reporters make note of it at present.’ ‘“This young man is not a reporter,’’ interrupted the captain. ‘‘He’s.an Amerti- can detective who is just now ear our force. ‘Permit me to introduce you. Mr. Henley, Mr. Trimble Carter.’’ | JT am-pleased to meet you, sir,’’ said _ Mr. Henley, extending his hand. “Vou m to be very young for a detective.’? “He has a young body and an old ad,”? ie Pemberton. OOK 1 a, ee Henley ; “then it’ll be ry wi 1e should listen to what I r itis not impossible that py trate * ~ - -_ - at are oe — way. <!, - met vs i ” mall + dca “ai 5 <a aa t q ere Was to Pats for all of his time there."? id N Mi | esite, taking : oa 3 the capialey. be-| us less and less, and his associates at the | ,|club have noticed similar changes. > = Piel dear site good id to sug- not seen him at all for three or four days, and I cannot learn that during that time he has been seen at any of his usual haunts.”’ ‘‘Isn’t he off on some estyne or shoot- ing excursion ?”? “No. It is two or three veces since he has indulged in that kind of pastime, and if he had gone now his friends at the club would know of it or he would have in- formed us. No, captain, his disappear- ance is a serious matter. J.am convinced of it.”’ “You surely don’t suspect anything like foul play, Mr. Henley?” . _“T don’t know what to think, captain.”’ The old gentleman’s voice shook with agitation, and he paused to collect him- self. , “Guy,’’ he continued presently, ‘‘has been acting very strangely for some time past.’’ Here he paused and looked down at the floor. “Don’t be afraid to speak your worst thoughts here,’’ said the captain, kindly. ‘‘Whatever they are, you may be sure that neither of us will betray any secrets.’ ‘‘It is more than a year,’’ said Mr. Henley in a low voice, ‘‘since I noticed the first signs of a change in Guy,’’ Again he hesitated, and the captain asked : ‘Was it some sign of mental téuble ibe Mr. Henley glanced from the captain to Trim as if ie was" scared at the sug- gestion. **God ae he answered. ay cannot tell. It would be difficult to make cl to you, just what this change was li but he became moody, silent and undocial a She CAM cae and yet it is impossible “Quite likely; but why should there be any cause for anxiety in that ?’’ ‘Well, because of late he has been with ee = . ; : ed im cen “See + ee 6 Ee mars 3 o sm a eee én" =e y + " neeengt to Hive with us in Para-