"Persons Unknown"
ILLUSTRATIONS BY HENRY RALEIGH
NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1914
Copyright, 1914, by The Century Co.
Copyright, 1914, by The Ridgway Company
Published, October, 1914
TO MY FELLOW-CONSPIRATORS HELEN L. KLOEBER AND JESSIE C. SOULE
When winter's breath was on the pane, Through dusk and snow, wild winds and rain, I fled to your bright hearth again To read about a Shadow ! You lit the lamp, you brewed the tea, Pulled up the deepest chair for me, And set yourselves to guess and see— What ailed that minx, Christina?
What Herrick found—what Nancy knew— Whose motor raced the county through— What could that harsh Policeman do— You never failed to argue; Of moonlight, murders, lovers, threats, Vengeance and kisses, siren's nets, And pale, dark men with cigarettes, Not once I found you weary!
Through broken music, sudden light In the deep darkness, jewels bright, Persons unknown in unknown plight, You still sought unknown persons; Authors, if you would straightway know Where faith and cheer and counsel grow, Suggestions flourish and hints flow: Go ask my Nancy Cornish!
Ask Nancy Cornish!
The phrase might have exploded into Herrick's mind, it leaped there with such sudden violence, distinct as the command of a voice, out of the smothering blackness of the torrid August night.
Virginia Tracy
"PERSONS UNKNOWN"
Suddenly she flung one arm up and out in such a strange and splendid gesture, of such free and desperate passion, as Herrick had never seen before
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
BOOK FIRST
THE SHADOW ON THE BLIND
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT
HERRICK FINDS A DOOR BOLTED
Not a breath, not a movement, greeted the invaders
SOMETHING ELSE IS FOUND
HERRICK IS SURE OF ONE THING
HERRICK READS A NEWSPAPER
HERRICK IS ASKED A FAVOR
HERRICK HAS A BUSIEST DAY
MRS. WILLING TELLS WHAT SHE KNOWS
JOE PATRICK IS DETAINED
JOE PATRICK ARRIVES
"Mr. Coroner," she said, "I wish to correct a false impression; may I?"
"'Great Scott!' I says to myself, 'there's Miss Hope!'"
PERSONS UNKNOWN
HERRICK RECEIVES A TELEPHONE MESSAGE
BOOK SECOND
THE SHADOW ON THE SCREEN
HERRICK PAYS A CALL, AND THE TEA IS SPILT
IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS ARM IS OUTSTRETCHED
HERRICK GUESSES AT THE MYSTERY AND GETS IN SOMETHING'S WAY
THE MYSTERY PAUSES, AND OTHER THINGS GO FORWARD
HERRICK HEARS A BELL RING
"There are detectives shadowing me," Christina said. "Don't deny it—I know!"
AND HOLDS A RECEPTION AFTER ALL
MORNING IN THE PARK: THE SILENT OUTCRY
A GREAT OCCASION APPROACHES AND THE VILLAIN ENTERS
PRESTO CHANGE: "OUT OF THE NIGHT THAT COVERS ME!"
MIDNIGHT IN THE PARK; "JE SUIS AUSSI SANS DÉSIR—"
KEEPING CHRISTINA OUT OF IT
AULD ACQUAINTANCE: WHAT CHRISTINA SAW
THE NIGHT OF NIGHTS: THE PRINCESS IN THE TRANSFORMATION SCENE
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
"WHEN STARS GROW COLD"
BOOK THIRD
WILL O' THE WISP
GLEAMS IN THE RAIN: WHEELER'S STORY
CORPSE CANDLES IN THE NIGHT: MRS. DEUTCH'S STORY
SEARCH-LIGHTS FLASHED IN THE EYES: KANE'S STORY
A LIGHT ALONG THE ROAD: DENNY GIVES AN ADDRESS
THE WRONG SIDE OF THE LIGHT: WHERE CHRISTINA WAS
THE YELLOW HOUSE AND WHAT THEY FOUND AT IT
Nowhere was there a letter, no significant writing nor any other name.
VANISHING LADY: THE SHADOW AT THE DANCE
JILL-IN-THE-BOX! THE LAST OF THE GRAY TOURING CAR
A SIGN IN THE SKY
"THE OLD EARL'S DAUGHTER": MRS. PASCOE ON FAMILY TIES
THE ARM OF JUSTICE ON CLEANING DAY: AN OVERTURE TO A COMIC OPERA
THE COMIC OPERA CHORUS: "AND SAID, 'WHAT A GOOD BOY AM I!'"
"WILL YOU WALK INTO MY PARLOR?": A CRIMINAL PERFORMANCE
THE SICILIAN TRAITOR: "YOU THAT CHOOSE NOT BY THE VIEW"
ONE WITNESS SPEAKS
THE LAST SHADOW: "LEAVE ALL THAT TIES THY FOOT BEHIND AND FOLLOW, FOLLOW ME!"
HERSELF
BOOK FOURTH
THE LIGHTED HOUSE
THE HOSTESS PREPARING
THE EXPECTED COMPANY
THE SHIPS AT ACTIUM
"You fool!" she cried. "You miserable, monstrous fool! Thank God, I've done with you!"
TURN, FORTUNE, TURN THY WHEEL—
CARNAGE: A COMIC OPERA CLIMAX
THE DARKEST HOUR: "OF WOUNDS AND SORE DEFEAT I MADE MY BATTLE STAY!"
THE SHADOW'S FACE: BEING ALSO THE FULL STORY OF THE SHADOW'S FLIGHT
"Shall I let her come in? Shall I tell at last what you are, through and through?—"
IN WHICH CHRISTINA HOPE DOES POSITIVELY REAPPEAR
THE END