the darrow enigma-第36章
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of Mr。 Darrow's murderer。
〃It came about in this way；〃 Maitland began in response to Gwen's
request that he should tell us all about it： 〃I determined to
thoroughly search every book on the 'Weltz…Rizzi' list； to see if I
might not get some additional clue。 In the work by Robert Houdin
entitled 'The Sharper Detected and Exposed' I found the statement
that gamblers often neutralised a cut in a pack of cards by a rapid
and dexterous sleight。 This； the book went on to say； was
accomplished in the following manner： When the cards are cut and
left in two packets upon the table； the sharper picks up with his
right hand the parcel of cards which was originally at the bottom
of the pack。 This is brought above the other packet； as in an=20
onest cut； but； just before releasing the cards； the lower parcel
is deftly tilted up by inserting the right little finger under it；
and the upper packet quickly slid beneath it； leaving the cards in
precisely the position they occupied before cutting； For this
purpose； the book continued； the nail of the right little finger is
worn very long； so as to facilitate its being thrust beneath a
packet of cards。 Here； I said to myself； is a possible explanation
of one of the peculiarities of my plaster cast。 The long nail on
the left little finger may have served its function at the gaming
table。 If so； however； it would seem to indicate that our man is
left…handed； while； as we have already seen； the writing upon the
library slips would indicate that he is ambidextrous。 We need not；
therefore； I reasoned； be surprised if we find that both little
fingers have long nails。 I at once acted upon these thoughts and
began a search of the gambling resorts of this city。 In order not
to excite suspicion I played a little in each place； watching my
opportunity to engage the proprietor in conversation。 In every case
I followed the same formula。 Did he remember the gentleman who used
to come there？ Foreigner； … spoke French； a little under medium
height； had a sort of halt in his walk； bit his finger nails； etc。；
etc。 I met with no encouragement in the down…town places； though
the proprietor of one of the Hayward Place 'dives' had an idea such
a man had been there； but only once or twice and he was not sure he
could place him。 I then went up to the South End and on Decatur
Street found a man who promptly responded to my inquiries： 'Gad！
that's Henri Cazot fast enough； in all but the height and gait。
Dick there； he'll tell you all about him。 He owes him a little
debt of honour of about a hundred plunks。 He gave him his note for
it； and Dick carries it around with him； not because he thinks he'll
ever get it； but he likes the writing。 M。 Henri Cazot！ eh； Dick？'
and he burst into a coarse laugh。 I turned to Dick for further
information。 He had already produced a much…crumpled paper and was
smoothing it out upon the table。
〃'There's the article；' he said； bringing his hand down emphatically
upon it。 'The cuss was hard up。 Luck had gone agin him and he had
lost every cent he had。 Jem Macey was a…dealin' and Cazot didn't
seem to grasp that fact； but kept bettin' heavy。 You see； young
feller； ye ain't over likely to win at cards when yer playin' agin
the dealer。 Cazot didn't know this and I wouldn't tell him； for he
was rather fly with the cards himself when he wan't watched too
close。 Well； he struck me for a loan； said his little girl was
hungry and he hadn't a cent to buy bread。 Gad； but he looked wild
though！ I always thought he was more'n half loony。 Well； as I had
helped to fleece him I lent him a hundred and took this here note。
That's the last I ever see of M。 Henri Cazot；' and he handed the
paper to me。 I glanced at the signature。 It was the same hand that
had written 'Weltz' and 'Rizzi' upon the library slips。 There was
that unmistakable z and the peculiar r which had just attracted my
attention！ It required considerable effort on my part to so restrain
my feelings as not to appear especially interested in what I had
learned。 I think； however； I succeeded； as they freely answered my
questions regarding Cazot and the daughter of whom he had spoken。
They knew nothing further； they said； than what they had told me。
〃'It was a year ago come next month that I lent him the money；' my
informant continued。 He pocketed it； hurried out； and that is the
last I have ever seen or heard of him。 Shouldn't wonder if he'd
blown his brains out long ago。 He used to have a mighty desperate
look at times。 He was one of them Monte Carlo fellers； I reckon。'
〃That's all I have been able to learn thus far。 It isn't very much；
but it shows we are on the right track。 By the way； Doc； I'm going
to change that ad to…morrow； offering treatment by letter。 Perhaps
our man is too shy to apply in person。 At all events we'll give the
other method a trial。〃
CHAPTER III
When we least expect it the Ideal meets us in the street of the
Commonplace and locks arms with us。 Nevermore shall we choose
our paths uninfluenced。 A new leaven has entered our personality
to dominate and direct it。
The new advertisement duly appeared and on the next day； which was
Wednesday … I remember it because it was my hospital day … I received
several written answers； and among them； one in which I felt confident
I recognised the peculiar z*'s and r*'s of Weltz and Rizzi。
I took it at once to Maitland。 He glanced at it a moment and then
impulsively grasped my hand。 〃By Jove； Doc！〃 he exclaimed； 〃if this
crafty fox doesn't scent the hound； we shall soon run him to earth。
You see he has given no address and signs a new name。 We are to write
to Carl Cazenove； General Delivery； Boston。 Good！ we will do so at
once； and I will then arrange with the postal authorities to notify
me when they deliver the letter。 Of course this will necessitate a
continuous watch； perhaps for several days； of the general delivery
window。 It is hardly likely our crafty friend will himself call for
the letter； so it will be imperative that someone be constantly on
hand to shadow whomsoever he may send as a substitute。 May I depend
on your assistance in this matter？〃
〃I will stand by you till we see the thing through；〃 I said； 〃though
I have to live in the Post Office a month。〃
Well； I wrote and mailed the decoy letter and Maitland explained the
situation to the postal authorities； who furnished us a comfortable
place inside and near the general delivery window。 They promised to
notify us when anyone called for our letter。 Our vigil was not a
very long one。 On Thursday afternoon the postal clerk signalled to
us that Carl Cazenove's mail had been asked for； and； while he was
consuming as much time as possible in finding our letter； Maitland
and I quietly stepped out into the corridor。 The sight that met our
gaze was one for which we had not been at all prepared。 There at the
window stood a beautiful young girl just on the verge of womanhood。
Her frank blue eyes met mine with the utmost candour as I passed by
her so that she should be between Maitland and me； and thus unable
to elude us； whichever way she turned upon leaving the window。 We
had previously planned how we should shadow our quarry； one on each
side of the street in order not to attract attention； but these
tactics seemed to be entirely unnecessary； for the young lady did
not have the slightest suspicion that anyone could be in the least
interested in her movements。 She walked leisurely along； stopping
now occasionally to gaze at the shop windows and never once turning
to look back。 She did not even conceal the letter； but held it in
her hand with her porte…monnaie； and I could see that the address
was uppermost。 A strange sensation came over me as I dogged her
steps。 I felt as an assassin must feel who tracks his victim into
some lonely spot where he may dare to strike him。 It was useless
for me to tell myself that I was on the side of justice and engaged
in an honourable errand。 A single glance at the girl's delicate
face； as frank and open as the morning light； brought the hot blush
of shame to my cheek。 In followin
