Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress, Pt 4

In this thrilling episode, Nick Carter and Patsy must unravel a complex case involving a robbery, kidnapping, and a daring rescue mission. Governor Bradley's secrets are exposed as the detective duo races against time to save his daughter and recover stolen papers. Action-packed and full of twists, this episode showcases Nick's investigative prowess and Patsy's heroism. Tune in to follow their relentless pursuit of justice in this high-stakes adventure.

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Transcript

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Hi, friends and welcome again to another exciting episode of Forward Into The Past. I'm J.C. Rede, your host and narrator and today we're finishing up the final episode of the thrilling mystery from 1903 entitled Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress or The Return of a Great Ransom. In the annals of publishing history, few names loom as large as Street and Smith. This pioneering American publisher founded in 1855 left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular fiction and help shape the contours of modern storytelling. Street and Smith's greatest contribution came through their popularization of the pulp magazine format. These inexpensive mass produced periodicals became a breeding ground for new genres and storytelling techniques. The company's flagship titles, such as the shadow and doc Savage not only captured the public's imagination, but also laid the groundwork for the superhero genre that would later dominate comic books and eventually blockbuster films. The pulp formats demands for rapid engaging narratives fostered a new breed of writers skilled in crafting tightly plotted action packed stories. This emphasis on pacing and hooks continues to influence contemporary fiction, television and film. Many of the narrative techniques honed in the pages of street and Smith's publications, cliff hangers, serialized storytelling, and character archetypes remain staples of modern entertainment. Moreover Street and Smith played a crucial role in the development of genre fiction. Their magazines provided a platform for science fiction, fantasy Western and crime stories to flourish, helping to define and refine these genres. The company's willingness to experiment with new ideas and formats allowed emerging voices to find their audience, including such luminaries as Isaac Asimov and Dashiell Hammett. The legacy of street and Smith extends beyond the printed page. Their characters and storytelling approaches have been adapted countless times for radio, film, television and digital media. The pulp aesthetic they championed continues to influence visual storytelling from graphic novels to video games. In essence. Street Smith's influence on modern storytelling is a Testament to the power of popular fiction to shape cultural narratives and storytelling conventions. Their innovative approach to publishing and commitment to accessible, exciting stories, helped democratize literature and laid the foundation for much of our current media landscape. And speaking of exciting stories, let's cap off the finale of one of street and Smith's earliest successes. Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress or The Return of a Great Ransom. Chapter seven, the mystery of George Snell. Nick Carter had said goodbye to his bright young assistant at about half past 10 of an evening. He gave a little further thought to the case that night for he knew that it was in good hands. I shall probably hear from the boy in the morning. He thought as he went to bed, No message came from Patsy in the morning because the young man had been too much occupied in watching Snell and Leonard in the Jersey city station to send one. But a message came from Dinsmore that gave Nick a bit of a surprise. It was as follows. Important robbery just reported. I don't know if it is the one you referred to last night, but it is very important and mysterious. Wish you would come on. Nick took the next train for the west. Dinsmore's telegram was sent from Manchester, the capital of Wenonah and there, of course the detective went. The journey was without incident and was made as rapidly as possible, considering that there are no through trains between New York and the distant Canadian town. Dinsmore met him at the station. I've got a telegram for you. He said as soon as they had shaken hands, It was forwarded from New York after you left. Nick opened and read it. It was the one Patsy had sent from Chicago to say that he was going with Snell to Helena. All right, said Nick. Now what's the case. It was reported by the Lieutenant governor. replied Dinsmore, governor Bradley being away. His absence makes the thing very peculiar and I don't understand it at all. How you should know in New York that a robbery had taken place in Manchester before anybody here suspected such a thing is quite a mystery. I believe Nick responded. That I begin to see how that happened. But go on. Some state papers have disappeared. That's it. And that's what makes me suppose it is the same affair that you seem to have in mind when you telegraphed from New York. Anything else? Do you mean anything else stolen? No, not that I'm aware of, but the papers are very important. I thought you ought to come on, as you seem to know something of the matter. No, I'm afraid. I don't, but I'm interested. You say there's been no abduction or kidnapping? I didn't say so, but I know of no such case. Well, then tell me all that you know about the loss of the papers. Well, there's very little. The Lieutenant governor called me up late on the night you telegraphed me. In fact. I think it was about two hours after I had sent my answer. Dinsmore, said he. There's been a very strange robbery or something that looks very much like it. Some papers that cannot be of value to ordinary thieves, but for which the government would pay a handsome reward, have disappeared. I asked him when they were taken. I have no idea. He answered. I only discovered the loss this afternoon. Then I asked him why he had not called on me sooner.'cause he replied, we've been hunting high and low for the papers. We supposed they must be somewhere in the government building. But we've looked everywhere. They're gone and that's all there is to it. I thought of your telegram, Nick, but said nothing. After I had asked the usual questions about where the papers were kept and so forth, I inquired if he had any suspicions. The questions seem to make him uneasy. I cannot suspect anybody. He replied. I remembered you Nick. And I said, well, that means that you suspect everybody. Aha. And what did he say to that? Asked Nick. Hah. He smiled in a queer way and simply said, Well? Of course I pressed him to be frank with me, but didn't succeed at first. Finally though he let the cat out of the bag in kind of a roundabout way. I saw that he actually suspected Governor Bradley himself. Well, exclaimed, Nick. That's rather interesting. Yes and mysterious. I'll tell you a fact or two, without stopping to say how I squeezed them from the Lieutenant governor. Some six or seven weeks ago a man unknown here called on governor Bradley. We know that his name was Leonard and that he and the governor had been in some sort of business deal together years before. That much is known because a part of their conversation was accidentally overheard. Nobody thought anything of it at the time, of course, for it all seemed natural and straight enough. The Lieutenant governor heard Leonard asking about some papers of some kind. They're safe. Governor Bradley told him. That's all well enough for you to say Leonard responded, but I'd rather keep them myself. Then I'd know. Dinsmore paused. Does anybody know what the governor said to that? He was heard to say something to the effect that would give Leonard the whip hand. The men were evidently on bad terms. And that is all that is known of that matter. Now, sometime later, it is rather more than three weeks ago, governor Bradley left town. He hasn't been back since. Is there anything strange in that. Well, no, not exactly. He went away openly enough, told everybody that he was tired and needed rest. That was natural. He also told the Lieutenant governor secretly that he was going to travel without letting anybody know where he was. I don't want to be bothered with letters. He said, Well, that was natural enough too. Wasn't it? Yes, I suppose so, but just now the Lieutenant governor is putting two and two together and I can see that he is suspicious. He hasn't said so in so many words, you understand, but that's what he feels just the same. You haven't told me all, Dinsmore. No, not quite. Governor Bradley told the Lieutenant governor that he would manage to be within reach at all times, but that has movements and address must be kept private. I will take the name of George Snell said he, and keep you informed where you may telegraph to me if anything of real importance comes up. So for some days, the Lieutenant governor received a telegram every day saying Snell, auditorium, Chicago, or Snell, planters, St. Louis and so forth. Then there was a break of a few days after which came the word that Snell was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York. Meantime, nothing happened that the Lieutenant governor couldn't attend to alone. Then came the discovery that papers were missing. As soon as it was certain that the papers had disappeared, the Lieutenant governor telegraphed the fact to Snell and told him in the same message that the matter would be placed in my hands. If the Lieutenant governor had thought twice, he would've called me up before wiring to Bradley alias Snell. But he didn't think quick enough. And since that time, not a word has been heard from George Snell. And there you are. I see said Nick. It's very interesting. When does the next train go to Helena Montana? To Helena? Well, there's no direct train to that point in any case, but what the mischief do you want to go there for? Because that's where governor Bradley is, or at least where he went. I think Dinsmore that I shall have to hunt for your governor as well as for the thieves who stole the papers. I hope I may find the governor alive. Good gracious. Look up the trains, please. I want to catch the first that goes. With a wondering face, Dinsmore studied a railway guide for a few minutes. Presently, he looked at his watch. Well, there's a train in half an hour. He said, That will get you pretty well started and you can probably make connections that will take you through so as to reach Helena in about 30 hours. Will that do? How can I tell? I must take that train and I think Dinsmore, it would be as well if you should come along too. Yes, I'll do that gladly. Anything to do to get ready. No. Well then. Let's start for the station. They went out and on the way Nick asked. Dinsmore, do you know anybody in Manchester whose name is Cecil West? Uh, slightly. replied Dinsmore. A friend of yours? No, I never saw him. What sort of a man is he? Tip-Top from all I hear. Not rich, you know, but honest and industrious. First rate fellow in every way. By the way he's in love with the governor's daughter Estelle. So. Yes. And the old man won't have him. He's sent the girl away so as to keep them meeting. The governor sent his daughter away, did he? That's what I hear. She dropped out of sight after a big party at the governor's house some five weeks ago and it is understood that she was packed off to visit a distant aunt or something in the hope that she would forget young West. I wonder if West hears from her. Mused, Nick. Well, if he does, he doesn't say so. Oh, of course not. Nothing more was said on this subject and Dinsmore did not suspect what was in the detective's mind. Nick asked one other question about the case. I understand that nothing has been reported except the theft of government papers. Is that right? Yes. And I have wondered a little for in your telegram to me, you mentioned jewelry. Yes, I did. I heard some was taken. Nick, said Dinsmore who gave you the tip about all of this? The detective looked at his old friend in the eyes for a moment and answered quietly. Governor Bradley. The deuce you say, why didn't you jump on the case? Because I didn't know, till I arrived in Manchester, that it was the governor who called on me. He said his name was Snell. I doubted it, but I had no suspicion as to who he really was. I could see that he was holding some facts back and that made me turn him down. That was where Bradley made a bad mistake. The detective and Dinsmore made good connections and arrived in Helena at six o'clock in the evening, the following day. They began at once to trace the men they wanted to find. Dinsmore made inquiries for a man answering the description of governor Bradley. Nick knowing that Patsy must've come to Helena hunted for some trace of him. He had the more difficult task for Patsy of course, had been disguised when he arrived in town. And as Nick presumed, he changed his disguise almost daily. Calculating from the telegram, Nick reckoned that Patsy must've reached Helena on a certain day and by a certain train. He asked men employed at the station about the passengers who arrived that day. From one, he got a tip as to a man who might be Patsy who left his grip at the station and walked away. The grip was sent for later, the man said, and was taken to a street that he named. Nick went to that street. He walked the length of it twice. There was no good hotel on it, but several boarding houses and any number of saloons. Among others was Bronco Bill's. Nick looked at it each time he passed. It was not the first one he entered, but after dropping in at two or three other places, he entered Bronco Bill's place. Just as the proprietor was telling a customer about a shooting scrap that had taken place there recently. They wanted to make the Tenderfoot dance, said Bill grinning. But durn me, if he didn't make them dance and holler'afore he got through with them. Such shootin' I never did see. I thought t'would be the last to Bronco Bill's house, but the young stranger just brought them crazy galoots to their senses in no time. Say he hit a dime. And Bill went on to tell the whole story. That's Patsy. Said Nick to himself as he slowly put down a glass of beer at the other end of the bar. I wonder how long it will take Dinsmore to follow his trail to this joint. Nick sat down to wait and had supper meantime. Shortly after nine o'clock Dinsmore came in, looking sour and hopeless. Ah, there you are. He said. I've been looking for you. Why didn't you come in here then? Said Nick. Because I didn't expect to find you here. I seemed to trace a man who looked like the governor to this hole several times. Plenty said they had seen such a man hanging around, but the governor wouldn't put up in such a place, not he. It's exactly where he put up just the same said Nick. Who told you that? I guessed it. My assistant has been here and he wouldn't stay in such a place either. Unless there was business in it. The business that brought Patsy here was. Nick did not finish. Instead, he caught up a newspaper and held it in front of Dinsmore. Read it, he whispered. And don't show your face. Four men were coming in from the street. One of them was the man whom Nick had known as George Snell. As the detective was now disguised, he did not hesitate to show his face. It looked however, as if his disguise would have been unnecessary, for Snell walked quickly across the room, and out by a door at the back. One of the four went with them. The other two stepped up to the bar and called for drinks. Snell came back in a short time with the man who had gone out with him. Have something asked the man at the bar. No replied Snell. Let's be going. The four then went out at once. Great Scott whispered Dinsmore. That was governor Bradley's voice. Of course it was, replied Nick. Come on. They kept on the track of the four men and followed them to a house in a quiet street. There was a light in the kitchen windows. Crooked work here, whispered Dinsmore. Absolutely, replied Nick. We must get a line on it if possible. They had not gone very near the house, presuming that there might be men on guard who would give warning to the others. It seemed best to try to get at the kitchen windows from behind and accordingly, they went around to another street, through a yard and over a fence. This took some time, but the lights were still there and all was quiet within. Although the curtains were down, they managed to get a glimpse inside through a small hole. It was just enough to show a good, many tough looking men around a table with Snell in the middle. He was counting out a big roll of bills. Buying back the papers whispered Nick and paying the ransom for his daughter. What? You don't mean? Ms. Bradley was kidnapped. That's what I mean. Ah, if the governor had had the sense to tell me the whole truth. Nick was thinking. There are a good many of them, whispered Dinsmore. Shall we go to headquarters for a squad of police? No, they'll be through in a minute. We must make a bluff and they'll think they're surrounded. You go to the front door and I'll tackle them here. Chapter eight. The ransom. Harry had brought down what the leader of the gang had called the goods. This was a parcel of papers done up in red tape. It was laid on the kitchen table and Snell began to count out the money that he had shown a few minutes before. I have$40,000 here. He remarked. Ought to be twice that. Growled the leader. That was the price agreed on with Leonard? Wasn't it. Go ahead. You haven't produced the goods. Snell or rather Governor Bradley stopped counting out the money and looked straight at the leader. Plank down that money. ordered the leader harshly. Just then there was a furious knocking at both the back and front doors. Loud voices. There seemed to be a dozen of them were crying. Surrender in the name of the law. We're done! Gasped the leader starting up and lifting his revolver. And by thunder, I know who done it. You Harry, you sneak with your argument. I haven't given you away, Hamilton. Cried Harry. I swear. He got no further for Hamilton, the leader, fired. Harry groaned and staggered to the cellar door. He grasped the handle to keep from falling. It turned, the door opened, and he plunged headlong down the stairs. All the other men were starting up in great confusion. Kill the governor. They cried. No! shouted Hamilton. There'll be more in him than anything else. Take him with us. Then he added in a lower tone. Side door boys. Nobody seems to be there. They've forgotten the side door. He seized the governor as he spoke and pushed him from the room. Others helped, and both the Governor and Leonard were hustled out. All the things on the table, money and papers were swept off by somebody. The door crashed in and the next instant Nick Carter leaped into the room. He was greeted by a pistol shot from one of the ruffians. It missed him. Many voices were heard calling, ordering, cursing. Dinsmore rushed in from the front. Heaven. He gasped. The governor's voice! He's calling for help. After him Nick, and rescue him. Together they made for the side door. They overtook some of the gang there and Nick laid them flat with giant blows from his fists. Then they went on. Over a fence at a little distance, a number of men were seen climbing. A pistol shot from Nick dropped one. The rest ran on. Nick and Dinsmore dashed off in pursuit, their one hope being to rescue the governor who had foolishly tried to do his own detective work. Patsy felt as if a fearfully heavy blanket lay upon him. Slowly for, he was less than half awake. He put up his hands to brush the blanket away. It was too heavy, and he wondered. Then he opened his eyes. It was rather a dark place and a rough unfinished ceiling overhead. He saw that first naturally for he was lying on his back. By jumbo, he muttered, beginning to remember. I thought I was dead. He looked down, raising his head a little and saw with horror that what he thought was a heavy blanket was the body of a young man. There was an open knife in the young man's hand. It's the fellow they called Harry said Patsy to himself, sitting up now and carefully lifting the body away. What the mischief does it all mean? His memory was returning fast. He recalled now that he had been carried down to the cellar to be suffocated with gas. That was early last night. It was now day as he could tell from the light at one dusty window. Besides the cellar door was open. The one opening into the passage through which he had been taken. His hands had been bound so hard that he could not loose them. And now they were free. How in the world did that happen? He looked at the cord that had been around his wrists. It was cut through. Nothing could be clearer than the smooth mark of a sharp knife. The detective looked at the knife in Harry's dead hand. That's it. He said softly. The poor fellow tried to save me and he came pretty near doing it. He tried to take the knife from Harry's hand, but the stiffened fingers held it tight. His own knife was in his pocket. And with that, he cut the cord around his ankles. Then he got up. His head still swam and he was weak, but his strength came back rapidly. Going to the wall he found the gas jet. The cock had been turned square off. Harry did it. He whispered. Poor fellow. I remember how he couldn't stand the idea of my being murdered. His coming in and leaving the door open ventilated the place so I didn't die of suffocation. Poor chap. He meant well. I wonder how he came to be shot. And shot he was, as the detective could see from the wound in the young man's breast. Patsy stood still for a full minute. Hang me. He exclaimed. If it doesn't seem as wonderful as if I was dead. He felt for his revolver. One had been taken away from him, but he had the other, and with this in his hand, he went upstairs. The house was very still. In the kitchen, he found overturned chairs and other signs of disorder. There was a ruction of some kind. He concluded. He wasn't sure just what he ought to do and decided that before he tried to form a plan, He would explore the house. Nothing attracted his attention in the rooms of the ground floor, and it was the same on the next floor. They were ordinary rooms furnished very cheaply. The detective looked into the bureau drawers, not because he was expecting to find anything, but to see if there was any evidence that the house was regularly occupied. There was none. All the drawers were empty. Opening a door, he found himself at the foot of the stairs to the attic. Might as well take it all in, he thought. And he started up. The third step was loose and came up when he put his foot in it. At once he pulled the board away. He saw something that made his eyes bulge. A box had been made beneath the step, and lying in it were two packets of papers done up in red ribbon and a great quantity of money in big bills. He took out and counted twenty$1000 bills and 20,000 more dollars in bills of five and 100. Ooh. He whistled sitting down and looking at his find. A sound startled him. It came from above. A faint, weak voice a woman's apparently. It seemed to be calling for help. Patsy stuffed the money in his pockets and bounded up the attic stairs. Under the unfinished loft on a couch of blankets. He saw a young woman lying. She was tied to the place so that she could turn over only with difficulty. Good gracious! He cried. Who are you? What does this mean? Have you been hurt? No, she answered weakly, but I am so weak and hungry. They haven't given me anything to eat or drink for more than a day. I suppose they've forgotten me. I am Estelle Bradley, sir. If you would only get word to my father, he is the governor of Wenonah and I know that he would reward you. Don't try to talk. Ms. Bradley interrupted Patsy. He was stooping to cut the cords that bound her to the floor. When this was done he helped her to her feet, and then downstairs. On the way he took the papers he had seen in the box and put them in his pockets. She told him when he explained that he was a detective, how she had been deceived by a message that was supposed to be sent by her lover, Cecil West. It was handed to me during a party at my father's house, she said. And it told me that Cecil was lying, dangerously wounded, not far away. I went at once to see him and was seized by rough men who brought me here and have kept me ever since. Patsy took her to a hotel where they had breakfast. Then knowing nothing of Nick's journey to the west, he arranged for taking her home. They started on a train that left Helena just as Nick and Dinsmore returned after a successful chase of the ruffians. It had taken them most of the night, but they had rescued the governor and caught three of the gang, though Hamilton, the leader, had escaped. Leonard had been shot through the heart by the leader when it came to the last fight out in the Hills miles beyond Helena. The governor confessed bitterly that he and Leonard had been engaged in a business that could not be called quite square years before. For my reputation, said the governor, I had to keep certain papers and Leonard wanted them fearing that I would give them up some time, and so ruin him. We feared each other. So I hired a band of ruffians to steal the papers. They not only stole mine, but without knowing it a number of government documents also. Then to make a complete job of it. They kidnapped my daughter. I dared not trust my secrets to the police or to you, Mr. Carter. When Leonard found that the ruffians would not give up the papers without an immense ransom that he was unable to pay, he told me what he had done. It was for the interest of both of us to keep the matter dark and he thought he could drive a bargain with the thieves. So I got together all the cash I could and we tried it. We went from city to city, but whether Leonard saw the leader anywhere, I do not know. At last I told him that I should give the matter to Nick Carter. Leonard threatened to kill me if I did so. He nearly succeeded as perhaps, you know, At last, he said, we should find that gang in Helena, and that by this time they would be willing to come to my terms,$40,000, their first bid having been for 100,000. We came to Helena, Leonard taking a different route from Chicago in order to give the word to the gang who he said were mostly at the north. I came here and went, as he told me to a low saloon where I stayed till he came. And the rest, you know, Not quite all. said Nick. Wasn't there a man on your track all this time? Not that I know of. Though yesterday, a stranger was found spying on us. The gang killed him. How, when, where? demanded Nick anxiously. Governor Bradley told him about the way the stranger was put down the cellar. And I was there! thought Nick with deep sorrow. Perhaps in time to save him. I wish I had let the governor go. They went to the house and found it deserted by all, save the dead Harry. What Nick saw though, the open knife, the cut cords, convinced him that Patsy had made his escape. But the case did not seem to be finished for the valuable papers and the governor's daughter were still missing to say nothing of the great ransom that had been paid down. So Nick went with the governor to Manchester and there found Patsy Ms. Estelle and all that the governor had been looking for. It is supposed that one of the gang hid the papers and the money in the box under the stairs during the confusion of the attempt to escape. It was a clever move, said Nick discussing it. For the rascal must have known that some, if not all of the gang would be captured. And it would be foolish to have the stuff captured with them. So he took the chance of hiding it, meaning to go back sometime, next day probably, and get it. Governor Bradley offered to pay Nick and Patsy for their services. I don't think we want any pay, replied Nick. We've had a good time out of it and we weren't engaged on the matter at all. But I would like to ask two favors. They shall be granted said the governor. First, then. When you have detective work to do in the future, don't try to do it yourself. That's easy, laughed the governor. You may be sure I shan't try that sort of thing again. The second, said Nick, is that you consent to the marriage of your daughter and Cecil West. He is a fine young man. I yield! Interrupted governor Bradley. I will send for West at once. He kept his word and the young people were married, not long afterward. Nick and Patsy meant to return at once to New York, but they were detained in the west for some time longer by another case. Which brought them against some of the gang they had just met. Well friends. Thanks for tuning into Forward Into The Past, where we bring classic stories back to life. If you enjoyed listening to today's episode, please take a moment to leave a review or a rating. Your feedback helps others discover our show and keeps these timeless tales alive. As you know, I'm very passionate about sharing these public domain gems and your support makes it possible. If you'd like to contribute financially, visit my, Buy Me A Coffee page. Whether you choose to become a monthly supporter or make a one-time donation, every contribution helps me continue our journey through literary history. Well friends until next time. Thanks for listening. Keep sharing the stories and be a good human. Bye for now.