Produced by D. Alexander and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) THE ALBERT GATE MYSTERY Being Further Adventures of REGINALD BRETT, _Barrister Detective_ BY LOUIS TRACY _Author of_ "WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE STOW-MARKET MYSTERY," "THE FINAL WAR," ETC., ETC. R. F. FENNO & COMPANY 9 & 11 East 16th Street, New York :: _1904_ Copyright, 1904 BY R. F. FENNO & COMPANY [Illustration: Hussein-ul-Mulk. --_Frontispiece._] Contents CHAPTER PAGE I A MYSTERIOUS CRIME 7 II MEHEMET ALI'S NOTE 18 III WHAT THE POLICE SAW 29 IV THE MURDERS 42 V A STARTLING CLUE 51 VI A JOURNEY TO PARIS 69 VII THE HOUSE IN THE RUE BARBETTE 87 VIII WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RUE BARBETTE 100 IX A MONTMARTRE ROMANCE 115 X ON GUARD 125 XI A DISCONCERTED COMMISSARY 140 XII THE INNKEEPER 161 XIII THE RELEASE 176 XIV "TOUT VA BIEN" 198 XV "MARIE" 209 XVI THE HALL-PORTER'S DOUBTS 223 XVII THE YACHT "BLUE-BELL" 235 XVIII TALBOT'S ADVENTURES 247 XIX THE RACE 259 XX CLOSE QUARTERS 269 XXI THE FIGHT 281 XXII PIECING THE PUZZLE 292 THE ALBERT GATE MYSTERY CHAPTER I A MYSTERIOUS CRIME Reginald Brett, barrister-at-law and amateur detective, had seldom been more at peace with the world and his own conscience than when he entered the dining-room of his cosy flat this bright October morning. Since the famous affair of Lady Delia Lyle's disappearance and death, he had not been busy, and the joy of healthy idleness is only known to the hard worker. Again, while dressing, he had received a letter inviting him to a quiet shoot at a delightful place in the country. All these things blended with happy inconsequence to render Brett contented in mind and affable in manner. "It's a fine morning, Smith," he said cheerily, as he settled himself at the table where his "man" was already pouring out the coffee. "Bee-utiful, sir," said Smith. "Smith!" "Yessir." "Not even the best English autumn weather can stand being called 'bee-utiful.' Don't do it. You will open the flood-gates of Heaven."