The Call of Death, or Nick Carter's Clever Assistant Pt 2

In this episode of 'Forward into the Past,' host and narrator J.C. Rede delves into a thrilling Nick Carter mystery titled 'The Call of Death or Nick Carter's Clever Assistant,' J.C.  discusses the influence of Victorian melodrama on the writers of Nick Carter mysteries and the societal reception of such storytelling, noting the disdain of aristocratic society for melodramas and dime novels. Despite this, efforts by institutions like Villanova University and Project Gutenberg have preserved these stories for future generations. The episode progresses with the mystery of a bank in Westchester County robbed using a method linked to a suspect, James Nordeck, by master detective Nick Carter. An urgent plea for help from a mysterious woman leads Carter to Harriet Farley, who seeks Carter's assistance in the disappearance of her fiancé, Reverend Austin Maybrick, feared to be in danger. Details of Maybrick's puzzling actions prior to his disappearance, including withdrawing money and preparing empty suitcases, raise concerns of foul play. The episode concludes with Carter heading to investigate Maybrick's disappearance, leaving listeners in suspense for the next chapter of the adventure.

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Transcript

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Hey, everyone. Welcome to another episode of forward into the past. I'm Jacey. your host and narrator. And today we're venturing into another thrilling episode of the Nick Carter mystery, the call of death or Nick Carter's clever assistant. Now, I'm sure you've noticed that in this story, the title has a very interesting double motif. The Call of death or Nick Carter's clever assistant. This was a style that was used quite often in Victorian era theater, especially melodrama. Now, if you want a classic example And don't have a Victorian era theater nearby. Well, I highly recommend that you set your way back machine for the 1960s and revisit the Rocky and Bullwinkle show. Mainly because they used the aforementioned dual titles at the end of every Rocky and Bullwinkle segment. For example, the announcer would end each segment with something like, well, our heroes survived this new ordeal. Be with us next time for standing room only or rock and roll. And of course it would always have a cheesy pun in the title. Or for more adherence to the old melodrama style Check out the adventures of Dudley Ru right of the Mounties complete with turn of the century piano playing. At any rate, the writers of the Nick Carter mysteries were highly influenced by this style of theater and incorporated the use of the dual titled headline for their stories. It's interesting to note that both of these particular styles of storytelling were not only very similar in their delivery, but also in their reception in society. Both melodramas and story papers and dime novels used very simple language and story bases. Good triumphs over evil. The little guy wins over the evil landlord or bank owner, and the hero arrives just in time to pay the rent. This style of storytelling, however, was looked down upon by the more aristocratic members of society. Those who had schooling in realms of higher education. Neither the writing for melodrama Nor dime novels and story papers were considered legitimate literature. And it's mainly for this reason that most of those stories that were written for a melodramatic stage or appeared in story papers and dime novels did not survive much past the time in which the appeared. Even though during their time they were the talk of the town and treated like superstars. All I can say is thank goodness that someone in the past had the foresight to save some of these stories. And with the help of places like Villanova university are managing to scan and digitize these stories so they can be saved for future enjoyment and eventually turned into digital eBooks in places like project Gutenberg. So that you and I can read or listen to. A classic tale of yesteryear. And with We'll continue our own classic tale of yesteryear, the call of death or nick Carter's clever assistant. In the last episode, our master detective Nick Carter was engaged in conversation with the chief of detectives inspector, Mallory. Regarding a robbery of a bank in Westchester county. Nick has identified the method of safe cracking used by one of the criminals as belonging to James. Nortek a man of about 50 years and a serial criminal. Nick is sure of his identity, not only because of his safe cracking ability, but also coupled with the fact that Nick saw Nordic's daughter on an elevated drain a few days prior to the bank robbery. Along with this assistant chick inspector, Mallory and Nick were about to leave for Westchester. When a mysterious woman appeared in a limousine earnestly asking for Nick's assistance with a case of life and death. Who is this mystery woman? Well, let's find out in the next episode of the call of death or Nick Carter's clever assistant. Chapter two, the missing rector. Nick Carter had more than one reason for complying with the request of the young lady who had arrived at his residence just as he was departing. Nick was influenced not only by her manifest anxiety and agitation. But also by the fact that her wealthy father Archibald, Farley, who had died about a year before leaving her something like five millions had been a personal friend and had frequently entertained him in his magnificent Westchester mansion. Nick knew, moreover, that Harriet Farley was a remarkably sensible level-headed And that she would not thus have appealed to him without very serious occasion. He conducted her into his library, therefore, instead of to his business office, that he might suffer no interruption. Take an arm chair. Ms. Folly said he placing one for her. Compose yourself too. For, I see that you are quite nervous. What is the trouble? I ought not to have come in here, Mr. Carter for, I want you to go with me. She replied. It may be just as well. However, if I first tell you the cause of my anxiety. I think so said Nick, taking a chair She was a very beautiful girl in the twenties of light complexion and with wonderfully blue expressive eyes. Her features were of a refined and classic cast evincing culture and strength of character. Her head was finely poised and crowned with an abundance of wavy Auburn hair. She was above medium height with a supple graceful figure. The attractive lines of which were accentuated by her close-fitting fashionable garments. You must not think my fear as foolish, Mr. Carter. Nor my interest in this matter, presumptuous, she said earnestly, replying to the detectives remark. I have serious reasons for both and I shall insist upon your investigating the matter immediately, if I can prevail upon you to do so. Your father and I were very good friends. Miss folly. Nick replied. I would be very glad to be of service, to. I felt sure of it. Mr. Carter. Thank you. Now, what is the matter to which you refer. It relates to the disappearance of a quite noted young clergyman, the Reverend Austin Maybrick rector of St. Lawrence Church, which I attend. I know that he has met with evil of some kind. I know Mr. Maybrick very well by reputation said Nick. He is fast becoming noted for his eloquence, his advanced ideas, and his charitable work among the lowest classes. He has a very wealthy parish. I believe. Yes, very. It includes some of the richest residents of west Chester county. You say that Mr. Maybrick is mysteriously missing. Yes. Since when. Since nine o'clock last evening. Oh, but that is not long, said Nick significantly. Surely Ms. Folly. I know what you would say, Mr. Carter, but it would have no weight with me. She hurriedly interposed. I am absolutely sure that he is the victim of knavery of some kind. But why are you so sure of it? Have you any definite reasons? Yes, many. Tell me said, Nick, what are your reasons? And the circumstances in connection with his disappearance. Ms. Farley drew up in her chair, a wave of red appeared in her cheeks and dispelled her paleness. She met Nick's grave scrutiny with outward composure, however, and replied with characteristic frankness. I must begin Mr. Carter with telling you of my relations with Mr. Maybrick. He has been very kind to me since my father died a year ago, leaving me very wealthy, but deplorably alone in the world. Mr. Mayberry called often during my father's illness and his visits have been even more frequent since his death. They have given rise to rumors, Mr. Carter, that Mr. Maybrick and I are in love, had likely to be married. Is there any truth in them? Nick inquired. Yes. Are you engaged, to Mr. Maybrick? I am ,Mr. Carter, though the engagement has not been announced, said Harriet. I have been in mourning for a year, you know, discarding it only a week ago. I understand Said Nick. I have been very careful during my period of morning that nothing should be said about my engagement. And I know that Mr. Maybeck has not disclosed it by so much as a hint. He is absolutely reliable. No doubt. The truth is suspected, nevertheless and bitterly resented. Resented by whom. By a woman with whom Mr. Maybeck was on terms of friendly intimacy before falling in love with me. Said Ms. Farley coloring again. He assures me that their friendship was entirely proper, which I fully believe, but the woman evidently intends to take advantage of it and make trouble for She has threatened him with a lawsuit to say nothing of other vengeful proceedings, unless he ends his relations with me and consents to marry her. Who informed you of her feelings and intentions. Nick inquired. Mr. Maybrick. And how does he regard her threats? He has ignored the Mr. Carter and very properly to said, Ms. Farley. He knows that she has been stealthily watching him, nevertheless, spying by night near the rectory, though, with what design he cannot conjecture. How long has this been going on? For more than a week, evidently culminating in what occurred last And what was that? What to heaven. I could tell you. Ms. Farley fervently, exclaimed. Don't ask me Mr. Carter. That is what I want you to find out and what has become of him. You mean? Stop a moment. Nick abruptly digressed. Who is this jealous woman who evidently feels that she has been wrong by Mr. Maybrick. Her name is Kate Crandell. A resident in your town. Yes. And what do you know Is she young and attractive of good character and habits Ms. Farley checked him with a gesture. I know nothing about her morals. She replied. She is quite a handsome woman, about 30 years old. She is not a person of means she is in business as a public stenographer and has been frequently employed by the day in that capacity by Mr. Maybrick. She took his sermons in shorthand and prepared a typewritten copy for him. She has been accustomed to doing that work at the rectory. I do not feel it necessary to look deeper into their relations, Mr. Carter for I have absolute faith in Mr. May bricks honor and integrity. After what now has occurred, moreover, Let's drop everything else and come to that Nick interposed. What can you tell me about it? You say that Mr. Maybrick was at home last evening? Yes. He left the rectory about half past eight. As near as Mrs. At his housekeeper can inform me. She is the only servant employed by Mr. Maybrick, who has no near relatives. He is a man still under 30. Mr. Carter. Did he leave home alone? Yes. Without telling Mrs. Soul where he was going or when he would return. Neither. Said Ms. Farley. I will state all of the known circumstances, Mr. Carter, as briefly as possible. Do so. Said Nick. On Tuesday evening, night before last. A woman called at the rectory to see Mr. Maybrick. Ms. Farley began. Mrs soul admitted her, but she could not identify her for the woman with closely veiled. Judging from her figure and carriage. However she thinks it may have been Kate Crandell, but it's not sure of it. Continue said Nick. I follow you. Mr. Maybrick received the woman in his library, closing the door, and she remained with him for nearly an hour. Ms. Farley proceeded. There would have been nothing strange in that perhaps, but for what he did the following day, yesterday. And what was that? He drew $500 from the bank in the morning. Mrs soul saw the bank notes on his desk while he was at lunch. In the afternoon, Mr. Carter, he borrowed a leather suitcase from a man friend living nearby. He has one of his own also. And he put both of them near the front door, in the hall. Mrs soul saw them there. And asked him if he was going away. He replied that he was, but that he was not going far. Mm, go on When at dinner about half past six, however, he told Mrs. that she need not leave a light for him. As he might be out unusually late. He said not a word concerning his mission or designs. He left the rectory about half past eight, as I have said, taking both suitcases. Containing some of his garments, I suppose. On the contrary, Mr. Carter, both suitcases were empty. Empty. Echoed Nick with more thoughtful glaze. That indicates that he expected to bring back something in them. Presumably. Yes. And how do you know they were empty? Mrs soul had occasion to move one of them just before Mr. Maybrick departed. Ms. Farley explained. She knew by its weight, that it must be empty. She thought it strange that he had packed nothing in it. And then she lifted the other. That was empty also. And Mr. Mayberry. Maybe Rick did not touch them again until he left the house. Hmm. I see said Nick quietly. Anything more. Not until this morning. Replied Ms. Farley. Mrs soul became anxious about nine o'clock and she telephoned to me asking me, whether I knew why Mr. Maybrick was absent. I did not, of course. And upon learning of the circumstances I at once went to the rectory. I found Mr. Maverick's desk open. And I ventured to search for a letter or something that might explain his absence. Did you find anything? Only something that greatly increased my anxiety. What was that? An empty revolver case in one of the drawers. I knew that he'd had such a weapon, Mr. Carter for he has told me. So, and I now feel sure that he took the revolver with him last evening. If I am right It admits of only one interpretation. That he apprehended danger. I agree with you, said Nick. Did you find the money mentioned the $500. I did not. Ms. Farley said gravely. It was not in his desk nor in his bedroom. I think he took it with him as well as the revolver. And I cannot but feel that he has met with foul play. He surely would have told Mrs. Soul if he had not intended to return before morning. That does appear quite probable. Oh, I am sure of it, Mr. Carter. It is not at all like Mr. Maybrick to have been negligent in that way. Have you taken any other steps in the matter? Nick inquired. I telephone to the bank to learn whether Mr. Maybrick had said why he needed so large a sum as $500 said Ms. Farley. The teller could not inform me. Mr. Maybrick presented his check and drew the money, but he had no conversation with a teller. I see. I also communicated with the gentlemen from whom he borrowed the suitcase. He said that Mr. Maybrick did not inform him why he wanted it, but promised to return it this morning. That further convinces me, mr. Carter that he expected to return during the night. I agree with you again said, Nick. Did he depart in a conveyance or on foot? Um, On foot. And, you know, nothing more of his movements. Absolutely nothing. How long ago were you at the rectory? About an hour ago, I came to directly here in my limousine. I will call up Mrs. Soul. And you may talk with her said Nick turning to the telephone on his library table. Find out where the Mr. Maybrick has returned since you left the rectory. If not tell Mrs. Soul that you have conferred with me And that I will call there in about an hour. Direct her to say and do nothing more until I arrive. I understand. Ms. Farley said complying eagerly. I will take one of my assistants along also, and get you to take us out there. Nick added. I will gladly do so, Mr. Carter, Very good. You probably know Mr. Maybrick's number Talk with Mrs. Soul as I have directed. Ms. Farley hastened to obey quickly obtaining only negative information from the anxious housekeeper. The Reverend Austin Maybrick had not returned. Nick Carter rang for Joseph had sent for Patsy Garvin, his junior assistant. Five minutes later in company with Ms. Farley and her chauffeur, they were speeding toward Westchester county and the home of the missing rector. What happened to the Reverend Austin? Maybrick why has he pulled out so much money and where has he gone? Is the mysterious Kate Crandell to blame. We'll find out next time in the next thrilling chapter of the call of death or Nick Carter's clever assistant. Once again, folks. Thanks for listening. It's good to be back after such a long hiatus, and I appreciate you all hanging in and waiting patiently for this next episode. Until next time, folks. Thanks for listening. I keep sharing the stories and as always. Be a good human. Bye for now.