by Madison Kent
She withdrew from her satchel a ring, identical to the one found on the two deceased girls, Maria, and Wanda.
Madeline had not told Nancy and Marilyn about the rings, but Hugh and Jonathan looked at her now in a knowing way. She wondered if they were thinking the same thing as she, how lucky Nancy was to be alive.
"Excuse me for one moment―I have something to show you," said Madeline.
She returned with the matching ring she had discovered at the hotel.
"Where did you get it?" asked Marilyn.
"I found it in the basement of the hotel," said Madeline, then proceeded to retell the events that led up to it.
"Now, there should be sufficient evidence with your testimony to get a search warrant," said Hugh.
"We suspect the Harrison brothers might be involved. Do you think the man who was with you could have been one of them?" asked Jonathan.
"I couldn't say. He wore a long gown that hid his physique, like an emperor's robe, that hid his physique, and, of course, he always wore an elaborate face mask. He was tall, but not too tall. I believe it could have been any one of them, or none of them," said Nancy.
"You did not feel you or the other girls were in danger?" asked Hugh.
"No, I did not," she answered.
"What made you go along?" asked Madeline.
"I know, looking back, that is was a foolhardy action to take, but I wanted to see if I could find out anything, and I knew I fit the age and description of the missing girls. I suppose I could say the monetary concession also enticed me. Look, I received fifty dollars. I don't know when I have had so much money. It will help with my education."
"How did you get away?" asked Jonathan.
"It really wasn't a story of getting away. I never felt that I couldn't leave. When I decided to go, knowing how frantic my sister would be, the other girls joined me. We told them of our wishes, and he wished us well. Then everything repeated itself. After our payment, we were once again blindfolded and taken back to the Auditorium. It was quite the experience, one I will never forget."
"And one I will have a hard time forgiving you for, despite the money," said Marilyn as she squeezed her sister's hand. "I don't know what I would have done if anything had befallen you."
"But now, what a happy ending. We will have money for many things, and we still may sell the ring and be even more financially solvent," said Nancy.
After another hour of conversation, they agreed they would meet at the Maxwell Police Station at one in the afternoon to tell their strange story.
When the twins left, everyone began speaking at once.
"You see, Madeline, the hotel is safe, and you have worried for naught," said father.
"No, Father. I feel it is just the opposite. I think they allowed Nancy to go free to avert suspicion. All eyes fell on the Harrison after Nancy went missing, and they could not have that."
"Does anyone believe that they may have the girls actually inside the hotel?" asked Hugh.
"I think it would be risky now, but before Madeline started digging into this, I don't think whoever did it was worried. I think they girls are in the hotel right now, at least the ones who managed to stay alive," said Jonathan.
"At last we shall see the police swarming over the Harrison. If there are girls hidden somewhere behind those walls, they will find them. The basement alone should give us clues to one or more homicides being committed," said Madeline.
"It is a gruesome thought to think someone could be capable of such a thing," said her father.
"After Jack the Ripper, I will never believe that any behavior coming from a deranged criminal is not possible," said Madeline.
Jonathan looked at his pocket watch. "It is time to go."
The officer in charge greeted the excited group with curiosity, hearing a quick synopsis of their story before stopping them, and asking them to wait until he spoke to his superior.
A few minutes later, a large man with darkened, crooked teeth, hauled them into his office. He had a sternness about him that immediately made them calm down.
"Now, what's this all about," said Inspector Thomas Roberts. "One at a time. Who is the girl who went missing? I'd like to hear her story."
Nancy told what happened to her in great detail, the inspector diligently taking notes while she talked. He did not interrupt her, and let her speak freely. After she had finished, Madeline and Jonathan began speaking to him about the rings, the basement, and their suspicions. They were not completely truthful about how they obtained access to the private quarters of the Harrisons, telling the others that they had accidentally stumbled upon the rings. The inspector raised his eyebrows at this part of the story, and coughed several times, letting them know he knew it was a prefabrication.
"Young lady, you know what you did was unwise, and you are fortunate you were not harmed. As you do not know where you were taken, it may not have been the hotel, but because the rings are the same, it may give us enough to do a search.
"As for the skeleton, I can't imagine someone having the audacity to murder someone and then hanging their skeleton in plain view in their own hotel, but we will have it examined," said Inspector Roberts.
They thanked him and left, all exhibiting relief that if the girls were being held against their will, that they would be rescued.
Believing it to be primarily in the hands of the police at that stage, the group spent the next two days sightseeing with Jonathan, finally going to the Auditorium and traversing downtown to sample the local dining fare.
When the evening found Madeline and Hugh sitting at their familiar spot by the window, she said, "Marilyn left a message saying she was at the hotel when several police officers arrived there. At least we know something is finally being done. I'm certain Jonathan will get his big story now," said Madeline.
"Would you like to go to the hotel in the morning, and see what Jonathan has heard?" asked Hugh.
"Yes, I had been planning to. I can only imagine how shocked the brothers were when they were descended upon by the local authorities. Even they cannot keep this out of the news."
"I still find it amazing that Nancy is unharmed."
"I hope she will not be the only one who will be saved. I have this fear that there is so much more we do not yet know."
"We shall soon find out."
Chapter Nineteen
An Unsettling Development
In the morning, she and Hugh walked to the hotel. When they were within hearing distance, they heard Little Tony yell out, "Harrison under investigation for missing girls...brothers protest".
They purchased a paper from Tony, who said, "Miss, there been goings on in there all yesterday. I seen the coppers come and go, and the reporters were everywhere. Do you think it's true, Miss, that someone in the hotel took them girls?"
"I don't know, Tony, but I'm relieved the police are trying to find the truth."
When entering the Harrison, they could hear the rumblings of the patrons talking about the girls. Patrick Harrison was in the lobby talking to a reporter, and Christopher was speaking with Jonathan. Photographers were taking pictures, and people bustled about trying to find out what was happening.
Marilyn was there alone without her sister, but that didn't surprise Madeline that after Nancy's ordeal she would choose not to come to the hotel.
"How is Nancy?" asked Madeline.
"Better than expected. She is the center of attention, and everyone wants to know her story. We came yesterday, and the reporters had somehow already found out and surrounded her. However, she only allowed your friend, Jonathan, to interview her. She decided it was too much for her, but I came because I was curious to see if anyone would be arrested."
"I am hoping Jonathan will have that information," said Hugh.
Jonathan nodded to them, and they waited with Marilyn at the French cafe for him to join them.
Within a few minutes, he arrived.
"It is quite the story, and not the one you would expect. T
he police have been through the hotel, from top to bottom, and have turned up nothing. When I spoke to Christopher Harrison, he was furious and threatened to bring a lawsuit against the police for harassment. He told me personally that he believed Madeline had something to do with this, and that he was considering banning her from the hotel," said Jonathan.
"What about the skeleton?" asked Madeline.
"I heard it was nothing more than an ordinary specimen, the same that are displayed in museums," answered Jonathan. "Supposedly, they had the receipt for it, and it had been purchased for some medical supply company. To my knowledge, the police didn't even take it with them for analysis."
"But that is absurd. We saw it with our own eyes. It could not have been," said Madeline.
"We did see it in almost complete darkness. Perhaps we were mistaken," said Hugh.
"And what about the ring? Was that also our imagination?" asked Madeline.
"The police believe any staff member may have dropped it while cleaning down in the basement," said Jonathan.
"This is terrible news―terrible. Now, they will be completely free to do whatever nefarious deeds they are up to. They will know the police will be quite hesitant ever to come back, especially with the fear of a lawsuit," said Madeline.
"I heard Patrick and Joseph saying they want 'that woman' removed from the premises. I'm assuming that woman must be you," said Jonathan.
"I must get back up to the third floor. There's got to be something there they missed," said Madeline.
"And the nasty basement―there must be something more there," said Hugh.
"Tonight, then?" said Jonathan. "Be careful that they do not see you coming into the hotel."
They returned at ten, all of them having discussed at dinner how appalling the situation was.
"We should have known after that Nancy returned, they would cover their tracks," said Jonathan.
"It is up to us now to find out the truth about the Harrisons," said Madeline.
This time, the trio stayed together. They had agreed to return to the library first.
Madeline was in the lead and reaching the skeleton she said, "Look, it is not the same one. This one is yellowed and has no markings of any kind―it is neither one of the skeletons we saw before."
"I think we can all agree on that," said Hugh.
"Whoever changed this skeleton must be the murderer," said Madeline.
"I think you are right. They knew it would be examined, and they would be caught. But I wonder how it was that they found nothing at all. Where are the girls? Do you think they are all deceased?" asked Jonathan.
"I suppose that is what we must find out," said Madeline.
They proceeded down the hall, but this time, the doors that had once been left open were now locked. They went back to the staircase that took them down to the basement. Everything had been tidied up, even the animal skeletons are removed. All that remained were the materials for the soap making.
Returning to Jonathan's room, Madeline said, "They know. They must know we have been through the rooms. It is obvious to me they allowed the library door to remain open so we could see the skeleton. It is like they are taunting us―to let us see there is nothing remaining that ties them to a crime."
"Do you think they are working in concert to protect one another?" asked Hugh.
"If that is so, it will prove even more difficult to apprehend who is responsible," said Jonathan.
"There is nothing more to do here. I suppose another plan must be devised," said Madeline wishing Jonathan good-night.
When they arrived at Madeline's home, she declined to participate in their late night talk and bid Hugh good-night also. She wanted to think about what she should do now. She laid in bed thinking, and when she couldn't sleep, she lit a candle and started writing notes about the Harrisons. She hoped something would stand out that would place one suspect more in the light.
She decided she would do what she had done in London. She would disguise herself and take a room at the hotel. She knew she was no longer welcome there, and might even be banned, according to what Jonathan had heard. It would not be that difficult to create a costume for an older woman. She could use her grandmother's gray wig and wear her rather ostentatious jewels. She had bequeathed them to her, but she had never worn them as they seemed inappropriate in the current times. She was certain Mrs. O'Malley could help her with any other items she needed.
When she told her father and Hugh the plan the next morning, neither was keen on the idea, but she insisted that she must do it. Jonathan would be on the same floor, and she could always contact him if necessary.
Chapter Twenty
Darkness
When she checked in at the hotel, Alfred was just a few feet away from her. No one paid any particular attention to "Mrs. Sullivan" as she named herself. She passed several of the staff that knew her and Lady Mary. No one seemed to recognize her. She was pleased that the first part of her plan was working.
Jonathan was unaware of what she wanted to do, and when he opened his door, at first he did not recognize her. But when she spoke in a normal tone, he said, "Madeline? I see you have resorted to the days at Whitechapel, although I don't think I ever saw you in disguise there."
He laughed and invited her in.
"So what is all this?" he asked.
"The Falco's were generous in their payment to me. I have used some of that money to take a room near you. It is but one corridor down and then three doors to the left. I also have procured some skeleton keys from a locksmith and several other useful tools used in the opening of locks."
"If caught, they will prosecute you."
"I won't be, but I will catch whoever is taking these girls."
"I would offer to accompany you, but I will be in Joliet gone for two days. My editor has asked me to cover a business convention there. Hugh is welcome to stay here so that you may have someone nearby."
"No...I must be able to do this on my own. Of course, Father would be frantic if he knew you are not going to be here, but I must do this."
"I don't feel that good about it myself. There is a possible killer somewhere in this hotel."
"I'm sure I can survive for two days, or what worth could I have?"
"Here is an extra key to my room in the event you change your mind and ask Hugh to stay."
"Thank you and I hope you enjoy your trip. I'm sure we will have much to talk about when you return."
She returned to her room knowing that she was on her own now. She shivered a little as she crept along the second floor to the locked stairwell. The hall was empty for the most part, with a few people walking down the corridor. She attempted entrance into the door. She had strewn several items from her satchel onto the floor, so if anyone saw her, she could use the excuse she had dropped her items and was trying to retrieve them.
She had practiced on her own and her neighbor's door in using the tools to pick the lock, it had been much easier than she imagined. She heard the click and opened the door. When she reached the top of the stairs, she noticed the wooden planks that once had once been stained― with what looked like blood―had now been replaced.
She entered the library first. Surprised the door had not been locked, she was somewhat apprehensive, believing it might be a trap they had set for her. However, she was too far into it now to turn back. She stepped quietly into the room. Transfixed on the skeleton, she went to examine it again. It was the same one the police had seen. She envisioned it was possible that yet another victim could be hanging there in full view. She looked for anything that might look like another entrance or exit into the room. If the Harrison's were so eccentric to create such a place like this, it could be likely there were other secret passageways within the rooms.
She pressed and pushed on the walls, and looked behind pictures that were hung on the walls. She thought there might be a trap door, but there were tables with books on them that would be difficult to move easily so she discounted that.
> The one odd piece in the room was a pillar with a bust of Benjamin Franklin atop it. She ran her hands over every part of it, finding beneath the marble top a small lever. She moved it, but nothing happened. She then attempted moving the pillar and the bust itself. When she tried to move it clockwise, the bust remained solid, but when she moved it counterclockwise, the bust gave way and turned. She heard a noise and when she looked up, she saw two of the bookcases had moved apart to reveal a door behind. The space was narrow, and the door panel had to be pushed back for her to enter. Inside, the area was well lit and clean, unlike the other stairwells. There was a handle set upon the wall that she moved to close the bookshelves.
The stairwell descended at a steep incline. She moved cautiously not knowing what she would face. She could hear the stairs creaking beneath her feet no matter how quietly she tried to maneuver.
When she reached the bottom, an odor arose, the dank, musky smell that most cellars have. The room had the feel and look of an abandoned mine shaft. Strewn everywhere were what she believed to be antiquity of all sorts. Statues, furniture, paintings, and clothing were scattered in large crates and stacked against the walls. As she walked about, she could hear the scurrying of feet―presumably from rats or mice―but she did not see them. She had to cover her mouth to muffle her moans. As she continued to walk through this capacious area, she could see there were tunnel like halls that led to other places. She followed the one that was the least obscured.
She went on, marking the area in her mind so that she could find her way back. After she had walked for several minutes, she came upon an area that had kerosene lamps on either side of a door. This area was in harsh contrast to what she had just seen. It was swept clean and had candles, fruit baskets and a case of champagne outside the door.