Gay, in his concealment, heard her threats against his life, and also overheard all that passed between Redway and Evelyn. He foresaw final reconciliation between the couple, and knew that he could only win by sudden and desperate steps.
Fortune seemed to favor him. When he saw Mrs. Lock in the window opposite, and heard Redway leave the office, his impulse carried him away. In a flash he had assumed Redway’s disguise, slipped out into the hall, and entered through the large office to Redway’s room, where he coolly killed his victim before the eyes of the woman he was willing to sell his soul to possess.
Thence he walked downstairs, and went to his room on the Bowery, taking many chances of meeting the real Redway on the way.
In his Bowery den, he changed once more to his everyday stylish clothes, and returned to the building to confront Redway.
His original design in duplicating Redway’s clothes, and getting the false wig and mustache which made him so true a double, must have been to get possession of little Estelle in the manner which he so suddenly put into practice.
Victor Redway Lock and Evelyn Lock[{63}] were restored to each other’s love and confidence.
Their lives were so thoroughly reunited that no more false reports of malicious enemies can ever part them again.
Chick found little Estelle unharmed in Granny Grimes’s miserable lodgings, and placed the child in the arms of the mother she had almost forgotten.
The happy little family are living peacefully and quietly on their lovely English estate.
They never tire of talking about Nick Carter’s wonderful professional skill in saving them from the almost successful plots of Oscar Gay.