"You saw the original certificate?" I asked.
"Yes. The lady, herself, had gone out, but had left it with her maid.
And I have not the least doubt of its genuineness."
"Then, we are up to Alderman Patrick McGuire," I said.
"I cabled at noon to Washington asking the Department to obtain,
immediately, full information as to his character and reputation."
"Courtney, you're a wonder," I said.
"I'm glad you approve," he answered. "I thought it well to move at once,
so the inquiry could be in New York early this morning; and, even if it
took the whole day to investigate, the answer should be here by midnight
at the latest."
Just then, there was a knock on the door and a footman entered.
"For His Excellency, the American Ambassador," he said, and handed
Courtney an envelope.
"Here it is, now," he said. "Cosgrove has hurried it to me."
Crossing to my desk he ran a knife under the flap and drew out a
cablegram, glanced at it an instant, then, gave it to me without comment.
It was in cipher, of course; but, below it, Cosgrove had written the
translation. It read:
"Individual named was killed last week by car at Twenty-third Street and
Broadway. Character and reputation only ordinary.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189