Transcribed from Henneberry Company edition by an anonymous UK volunteer. JOE LESLIE’S WIFE OR A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET * * * * * BY ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, M.D. * * * * * _Author of_ “_Gold-Maker of Lisbon_,” “_Little Sweetheart_,” “_Phantom Smuggler_,” “_Diana Thorpe_,” “_Frozen_ _Hearts_,” “_Nora’s Legacy_,” _etc._ * * * * * CHICAGO THE HENNEBERRY COMPANY 554 WABASH AVENUE CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I The Office of a New York Detective 17 II Two of a Kind 28 III The Tell-tale Scrap of Paper 39 IV The House on Twenty-seventh Street 50 V The Man Dressed as a Bull-fighter 61 VI Marian 73 VII A Brand from the Burning 83 VIII The Jehu Adds to the Mystery 94 IX Joe’s Secret 105 X That Meerschaum Pipe 116 XI All is Forgiven 127 XII The Opium Joint 138 XIII A Terrible Doom 149 XIV Another Link in the Chain 160 XV Comparing Notes 171 XVI The Locked Saratoga 182 XVII The Artist is Defiant 193 XVIII Fortune’s Favors 204 XIX The Time Draws Near 215 XX For Plunder 226 XXI The Cottage Beyond the Harlem 237 XXII Almost 248 XXIII The Messenger with Good News 259 XXIV Conclusion 268 CHAPTER I THE OFFICE OF A NEW YORK DETECTIVE The little clock in the dingy office of Eric Darrell was just pointing out the hour of four when there came a rap on the door. Within the proprietor sat alone, his feet elevated upon the top of a desk, and from his position it was evident that his thoughts were far away, for although he took an occasional whiff at his cigar, it was in an absent-minded way. At this summons, his interest was at once aroused—his feet came down from their elevated position, and an expression appeared on his face that might have been a smile. “A woman, by Jove!” he muttered, giving his handkerchief a flirt over the desk where his feet had been so recently deposited.