CHAPTER I.
"STARS OF THE FORCE."
"Yes, sir," said Policeman No. 46, with an air of condescendingcourtesy, "this _is_ the office."
It is characteristic of the metropolitan policeman; he is not a man tooccupy middle ground. If he is not gruffly discourteous, he is prettycertain to be found patronizingly polite.
Number 46 had just breakfasted heartily, and had swallowed a largeschooner of beer at the expense of the bar keeper, so he beamed benignlyupon the tall, brown-faced, grey-bearded stranger who had just asked,"Is this the office of the City Detective Agency?"
"This _is_ the office, sir; up two flights and turn to your left."
"Is this the office of the City Detective Agency?"--page22.]
The stranger shifted his position slightly, glanced up and down thestreet, drew a step nearer the policeman, and asked:
"Is it a large force?"
"Well, I should say!"
"I suppose you know some of them pretty well?"
"Yes, _sir_; I know some of the best men of the lot."
The stranger jingled some loose coin in his pocket, and seemed to haveforgotten his interest in the detective force.
"Officer, where does a man go to get a good brandy cocktail?"
Policemen are not over bashful, and No. 46 smiled anew as he replied.
"Just wait a few minutes, and I'll show you. I must stop that con--"
The last syllable was lost to the stranger as 46 dashed off to wave hisclub before the eyes of an express-man, who was occupying too much spaceon the wrong side of the street. In a moment he was back again, and, ashe approached, the stranger said:
"I'm a new-comer in the city, and want to see things. I take a sort ofinterest in the doings of the police, and in detectives especially. I'dlike to have you point me out some of these chaps, officer. Oh, aboutthat brandy cock-tail; you'll join me, I hope?"
No. 46 consulted his watch.
"I'll join you, sir. Yes sir; in ten minutes, if you'll wait. There's acapital place right here handy. And if you want to see _detectives_,just you stand here with me a while. Vernet and Stanhope went down tobreakfast half an hour ago."
"Vernet and Stanhope?"
"The Stars of the force, sir; a perfect matched team. Splendid fellows,too. They always spend their mornings at the office, when not 'on thelay.' They've been back in the city four or five days; hard workers,those boys."
"Young men, I suppose?"
"Well, yes, they're young, but you can't fool them much. A little underthirty, I should call Vernet; Stanhope is the younger of the two."
"Americans?"
"Stanhope is, an out-and-outer. Vernet's got some French in him."
"Um, yes; well, I'd like to take a look at them, after we refreshourselves."
"They won't be back for a good half hour; there's no fear of missingthem."
Half an hour, and a brandy cock-tail, makes some men firm friends. Whenthat period of time had elapsed, No. 46, more affable than ever, and thetall stranger, looking quite at his ease, stood again near the entranceto the office of the City Detective Agency.
Two men were coming down the street, walking and talking with the air ofmen on good terms with themselves and each other.
Both were young, well dressed, well-looking; but a more marked contrastnever was seen.
One, the taller of the two, was dark and decidedly handsome, with blackwaving hair, dusky eyes, that were by turns solemn, tender, severe, andpathetic; "faultily faultless" features, that wore an habitual look ofgravity and meditation; an erect, graceful carriage, and a demeanordignified and somewhat reserved. Slow of speech and punctillious in theuse of words, he was a man of tact and discretion; a man fitted to lead,and capable of ruling in stormy times. At first sight, people pronouncedhim "a handsome fellow;" after long acquaintance, they named him "aperfect gentleman."
His companion was not quite so tall, of medium height, in fact, butmuscular and well built. He walked with a springy, careless stride,carrying his head erect, and keeping his observant, twinkling, laughingbrown eyes constantly employed noting everything around and about him,but noting all with an expression of careless unconcern that seemed tosay, "all this is nothing to me, why should it be?" His hair, brown,soft, and silky, was cropped close to his head, displaying thus a welldeveloped crown, and brow broad, high and full. The nose was tooprominent for beauty, but the mouth and chin were magnificent features,of which a physiognomist would say: Here are courage and tenderness,firmness and loyalty. He was easy of manner--"off-hand," would betterexpress it; careless, and sometimes brusque in speech. At first sightone would call him decidedly plain; after a time spent in his societyyou voted him "a good looking fellow," and "a queer fish." And those whohad thoroughly tested the quality of his friendship, vowed him a man totrust and to "tie to."
"Here they come," whispered No. 46; "those two fellows in grey."
"Which is which?"
"To be sure. The taller is Van Vernet; the other Dick Stanhope."
"Here they come," whispered No. 46; "those two fellows ingrey."--page 26.]
As they approached, Van Vernet touched his hat with a glance ofcourteous recognition. But Richard Stanhope merely nodded, with acareless, "how are you, Charlie?" And neither noted the eager,scrutinizing glance bent upon them, as they passed the grey-beardedstranger and ran lightly up the stairs. "You're wanted in the Chief'soffice, Mr. Vernet," said the office boy as they entered; "And you too,I think, Mr. Stanhope."
"Not both at once, stupid?"
"Um, ah; of course not. Now look here, Mr. Dick--"
And Stanhope and the office boy promptly fell into pugilistic attitudes,the former saying, with a gay laugh:
"You first, Van, if the old man won't let us 'hunt in couples.'"
With the shadow of a smile upon his face, Van Vernet turned his backupon the two belligerents and entered the inner office.
"Ah, Vernet, good morning," said his affable chieftain. "Are you readyfor a bit of business?"
"Certainly, sir."
"I don't think it will be anything very deep, but the young fellowinsisted upon having one of my best men; one who could be courteous,discreet, and a gentleman."
Van Vernet, who had remained standing, hat in hand, before his chief,bowed deferentially, and continued silent.
"There are no instructions," continued the Chief. "You are to go to thisaddress--it's a very aristocratic locality--and act under thegentleman's orders. He wants to deal with you direct; the case is moredelicate than difficult, I fancy. I am only interested in the success orfailure of your work."
Taking the card from his outstretched hand, Vernet read the address.
"A. WARBURTON. No. 31 B---- Place."
"When shall I wait upon Mr. Warburton?"
"At once. Your entire time is at his disposal until the case isfinished; then report to me."
Vernet bowed again, turned to go, hesitated, turned back, and said:
"And the Raid?"
"Oh, that--I shall give Stanhope charge of that affair. Of course hewould like your assistance, but he knows the ground, and I think willmake the haul. However, if you are not occupied to-morrow night, youmight join them here."
"Thank you. I will do so if possible," turning again to go.
"Send Stanhope in, Vernet. I must settle this business about the Raid."
Opening the door softly, and closing it gently after him, Vernetapproached his comrade, and laid a light hand upon his arm.
"Richard, you are wanted."
"All right; are you off, Van?"
"Yes;" putting his hat upon his head.
"On a lay?"
"Yes."
"Wish you good luck, old man; tra la."
And Dick Stanhope bounced into the presence of his Chief withconsiderable noise and scant ceremony.
Number 46, who, with the stranger beside him, was slowly pacing hisbeat, lifted his eyes as Vernet emerged from the stairway.
"There comes Vernet, and alone. I'
ll bet something he's off on a case,"he said.
"Looks like it."
"He looks more serious than usual; wonder if he's got to work it withoutStanhope."
"Do they always pull together?"
"Not always; but they've done their biggest work together. When there'sa very knotty case, it's given to Vernet _and_ Stanhope; and they seldomfail."
"Which acts as leader and is the best man of the two?"
"Well, sir, that's a conundrum that no man can guess, not even theChief. And I don't believe any body ever will know, unless they fallout, and set up an opposition to each other. As for who leads, they bothpull together; there's no leader. I tell you what I don't want to seetwo such splendid fellows fall out; they've worked in double harness agood while. But if the Chief up there wants to see what detectives _can_do, let him put those two fellows on opposite sides of a case; then he'dsee a war of wits that would beat horse-racing."
"Um!" said the stranger, consulting an English repeater, "it's time forme to move on. Is this your regular beat, my friend? Ah! then we maymeet again. Good morning, sir."
"That's a queer jockey," muttered No. 46. "When he first came up, I madesure he was looking for the Agency--looking just for curiosity, Ireckon."
And the stranger, as he strolled down the street, communed thus withhimself:
"So these two star detectives have never been rivals yet. The Chief hasnever been anxious to see what detectives _can_ do, I suppose. Thislooks like _my_ opportunity. Messrs. Vernet and Stanhope, _you shallhave a chance to try your skill against each other_, and upon adesperate case: and the wit that wins need never work another."