The Mansion of Mystery

Mansion of Mystery, The

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Steele
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Title: The Mansion of Mystery Being a Certain Case of Importance,
Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective
Author: Chester K. Steele

Release Date: July 4, 2005 [eBook #16204]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
MANSION OF MYSTERY***
E-text prepared by Al Haines

THE MANSION OF MYSTERY
Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of
Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective
by
CHESTER K. STEELE
Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr"
International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the
Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland
1911

CHAPTER I

THE STORY OF A DOUBLE TRAGEDY
The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as
the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first
one ashore. He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without
waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.
"Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned
abruptly.
"Yes, sir."
"Then take me there with all possible speed."
"Yes, sir."
The door slammed, the taxi driver mounted to his seat, and off the taxi
started at the best rate of speed the driver could attain. The young man
sank down among the cushions and buried his chin in his hands.
His face, normally a handsome one, was now wrinkled with care, his
hair was disheveled, and he looked as if he had lost much sleep. At
times his mouth twitched nervously and he clenched his fists in a
passion which availed him nothing.
"To think that she is guilty!" he muttered. "It is horrible! Horrible!"
And then his whole frame shook as if with the ague. Twice he started
up, to see if he had not yet arrived at his destination. But the drive was
a long one, and to him, in his keen anxiety, it appeared an age.
"If he is away--out of town--in Europe, or on some case which he
cannot leave, what am I to do?" he murmured. "I've pinned my whole
faith on him."
Presently there was a jar, and the taxicab came to a halt in front of a
large office building. The young man gave one look, and, before the
driver could get down, had the door open and was on the pavement.
"Here you are," he said and thrust a dollar bill into the fellow's hand.

Then he crossed the broad pavement and was lost to sight in the
corridor beyond.
"In a hurry and no mistake, and looks a heap worried, too," was the
chauffeur's comment. "Well, I'm a quarter ahead on that fare."
For a moment the young man studied the directory on the corridor wall.
Then he entered an elevator and alighted at the eighth floor. He, walked
down a side hall until he came to a door upon the glass of which was
inscribed the name:
Adam Adams "This must be the place," he murmured, and opening the
door he entered the office, to find himself in a plain but neatly
furnished apartment, containing several chairs, and a flat-top desk, at
which a young lady was writing.
"Is Mr. Adams in?" he asked, as the young lady arose to meet him.
"What name, please?" was the counter question, and the young lady
gave the visitor a keen glance.
"Raymond Case." The young man brought forth his card. "Tell Mr.
Adams I am the son of the late Wilbur Case, and wish to see him on
important business."
The young lady disappeared through a door leading to an inner
apartment. From this she entered another apartment, much larger, and
overlooking the little city park far below. The room was filled with
books and pictures, and some wall brackets contained several bits of
finely-carved statuary. There was one large roller-top desk and three
comfortable leather chairs.
At the desk sat a man of uncertain age, with a strong face, a somewhat
bald head, and eyes that were neither light nor dark. The man was of
ordinary height, but muscular to a surprising degree. His face showed a
high order of intelligence and his mouth a determination not easily
thrust aside.

"A gentleman to see you," said the young lady. She placed the card
before him. "He told me to tell you that he is the son of the late Wilbur
Case, and wishes to see you