Part 24 (1/2)

So saying, I called a carriage and sent her home in charge of one of my men. On returning to my office, I found Mrs. Warne awaiting me. I complimented her very highly on her success, and told her that she need not continue the business of fortune-telling more than a day or two longer. I told her to be careful not to receive Mrs. Thayer again, however, but to instruct the usher to tell her that Madam Lucille never received any lady a second time after having completed her horoscope.

In about half an hour Captain Sumner came in. I told him that I was now master of the situation, and that I would make a decided move in a day or two.

”Yes,” said the Captain, ”Annie has told me a great deal, and she says that I must become responsible for her, and guarantee that she shall not leave town. How have you accomplished all this? I cannot understand it.”

”Some day perhaps I will tell you all about it,” I replied, ”but I cannot do so just now. I wish you to bring your sister here to-morrow morning; I will prepare an affidavit for her to sign, and then we shall soon have Pattmore under arrest.”

”Well, if you will only have him punished as he deserves,” said the Captain, ”I shall consider no reward too great for you. He is a snake in the gra.s.s, who has ruined my sister, and covered our family with shame.

Now I want revenge.”

”I shall do all in my power to have him punished,” I said; ”and I am very well pleased to see the end so near. By the way, you might write to Mr. Chapman to inform him of our success.”

”I will, indeed,” said the Captain, enthusiastically; ”if it had not been for him, I never should have thought of coming to you, Mr.

Pinkerton.”

”Well, good-day, Captain; come here with Mrs. Thayer about ten o'clock to-morrow morning.”

I immediately placed the facts before my lawyer, and requested him to prepare an affidavit for Mrs. Thayer to make relative to Pattmore's guilt. The next morning it was ready, and Mrs. Thayer swore to the facts as therein set forth. I then told the Captain to remain in Chicago until I should send for him, and that evening I took the train for Greenville.

On my arrival there I called on Dr. Stuart and learned that his a.n.a.lysis had been finished that day. He had found enough poison in Mrs.