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Issued Weekly. Entered as Second-class Matter at the New York PostOffice, by Street & Smith, 79-89 Seventh Ave., New York.
Copyright, 1915, by Street & Smith. O. G. Smith and G. C. Smith,Proprietors.
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No. 157. NEW YORK, September 11, 1915. Price Five Cents.
A HUMAN COUNTERFEIT;
Or, NICK CARTER AND THE CROOK’S DOUBLE.
Edited by CHICKERING CARTER.
CHAPTER I.
WHY WAS IT DONE?
“Extraordinary—that doesn’t half express it. I know of no word thatwould. To some extent, Nick, at least, men’s motives are usuallydiscernible in their conduct. But in this case—why, there was nothingto it. It is utterly inexplicable. It was like a horrid dream, a hideousnightmare, or the mental abnormalities of a dope fiend.”
Nick Carter laughed and spread his napkin, with a significant glance athis chief assistant, Chick Carter, who sat at one side of the table,that of a private dining room in a new and fashionable New York hotel.
“Well, Mr. Clayton, if the story you have to tell warrants so remarkablea preface, it will be interesting, at least,” said the famous detective.
“Yes, Nick, and then some,” Chick agreed, smiling. “He so has aroused mycuriosity that I really am all ears.”
“I don’t think I shall disappoint you,” said their companion, moregravely.
He was a fashionably clad man of thirty-five, of medium build and withclean-cut, attractive cast of features, smoothly shaved. There was inother respects nothing specially distinctive about him. He was the typeof well-bred, well-informed, and thorough business man with which NewYork City abounds.
“Aside from the pleasure of having you dine with me, I am very glad ofthe privilege of telling you about my extraordinary experience,” headded, gazing across the table at Nick. “I want your opinion about it. Iwas tempted to call on you for advice immediately after it occurred, butthere were many reasons why I did not do so. I have been terribly busy,you know, since