1194--In the Lap of Danger 1195--The Man from London To be published in November, 1926. 1196--Circumstantial Evidence 1197--The Pretty Stenographer Mystery To be published in December, 1926. 1198--A Villainous Scheme 1199--A Plot Within a Plot The Plot That Failed OR, WHEN MEN CONSPIRE BY NICHOLAS CARTER Author of “A Plot Uncovered,” “The Cab Driver’s Secret,” “Nick Carter’s Death Warrant,” etc. [Illustration] STREET & SMITH CORPORATION PUBLISHERS 79–89 Seventh Avenue, New York Copyright, 1903–1905 By STREET & SMITH The Plot That Failed (Printed in the U. S. A.) All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian. THE PLOT THAT FAILED. CHAPTER I. TAMBOURINE JACK’S MESSAGE. “I feared you would not come.” The speaker, a beautiful woman of two or three and thirty, half reclined on a sofa, in an elegant apartment. A gentleman, rather old, had entered the room. He was what he looked to be--one of New York’s money kings. “It is for the last time, Louise,” he said, toying with his watch guard. “And why for the last time?” For a second the woman appeared downcast, and then, rising to her feet, she said, pleadingly: “You swore that you would always love me.” “Yes,” he thundered, “but then I was not aware that the shy and modest Louise Calhoun was a common adventuress. Truly, you would be a nice woman to grace my home and be a second mother to my orphan children!” “I shall force you to keep your promise!” The woman’s eyes blazed and she clinched her hands until the nails sank deep into the flesh. “Force me--you will force me!” exclaimed the gentleman. “Those were the words I used, Hilton Field.” “Why, you are a criminal.” She buried her face in her hands, and, as she began to sob, dropped upon her knees. The banker was moved; he had loved this woman, who had introduced herself to him as the daughter of a New England clergyman, and said that she had come to New York with the intention of supporting herself by giving music lessons. Indeed, she bore letters of introduction from a man Mr. Field knew to be trustworthy. He had helped the stranger along and often called to see her, the outcome of which visits resulted in a proposal of marriage, which was eagerly accepted, as he thought. He was deceived. Louise Calhoun could not marry the banker, and none knew this better than herself.