The Suicide: Nick Carter and the Lost Head

"Slow down, Danny, and look out for that wire," said Nick Carter to his chauffeur. "It may be a live one." "I'm onto it, chief." "Onto it, eh? Don't you run onto it while I'm in the car, not if it's a live one. You may fancy absorbing the output of an electric-lighting plant, but not for mine, Danny, not for mine! I know what it would do to me. I've seen men electrocuted." Danny Maloney laughed, for it was obvious that the famous detective was jesting. "Onto it with my lamps, chief, is what I meant," he replied. "Say what you mean, then," said Nick, with a smile. "Precision is one of the valuable assets of a detective. Luckily, however, you are addressing one who can read between the linesbarring those of the ambiguous letter that brought us out here." "Can't you fathom it? It must be mighty blind, chief, if it fools you." "On the contrary, Danny, it is perfectly plainwhat there is of it," said Nick dryly. "A woman, one Mrs. Myra Darling, states that she is in great trouble, that a very devoted friend of mine has advised her to appeal to me, and will I favor her with a call at my earliest convenience." "That all?" questioned Danny tersely. "The whole business," said Nick. "Of course, the appeal coming from a woman, I cannot turn it down. Noblesse oblige." "You don't know her?" "Not from a side of leather. I am acquainted with no Darling womansuppress that smile, Danny. I know what you are thinking. But all women are not darlingsfar from it." "This one might be," said Danny, his smile spreading to a grin. "That's neither here nor there," said Nick, with a laugh. "Not being in the market, Danny, all women look alike to me. Now, the said Mrs. Darling's trouble may beah, but we are near an answer to the momentous question. Yonder is the place, unless I am much mistaken. Stop at the driveway gate. I'll walk into the grounds. Keep your eye peeled, by the way, while I'm engaged with her ladyship." The place referred to was out beyond Washington Heights and overlooking the Hudson. It was an attractive estate, without being at all pretentious, as were others in the immediate locality. The grounds flanked a broad street in which electric lighting was being introduced, and from which the house stood back some thirty yards, with a well-kept lawn and a few shade trees. In the rear were a stable and garage, beyond which the land sloped down sharply toward the river. Nick did not wait for an answer from his chauffeur. He sprang from the car while speaking, then walked briskly up the driveway and approached the house, quite a large wooden dwelling of the colonial type. Nick mounted the broad front veranda and rang the bell. It was answered almost immediately by a tall, graceful woman, clad in black, and about thirty years of age. She was of medium complexion, with brown hair and eyes and a finely poised head. Her features were regular, but her face was a strong one, rather than handsome, evincing will power, intellectuality, and a lofty character.

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