Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 86: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

16 president, and then he saw his mistake. He recognized the man as Carlstach’s double, of whom he had heard so much re- cently. He was mildly curious. “IT was looking for Mr. Carlston.” ‘‘ Carlstach,” corrected the president. “Mr. Carlstach’s not in town. He left to see a sick aunt yesterday. I had a wire from him last night that she was dead and be was staying for the funeral.” The visitor entered and introduced him- self. The president acknowledged the in- troduction, but without going to the trouble of ‘reciprocating with his own name and business. And while John Sibert talked his theories ” and the “ psychological aspects of crime,” the president sat summing him up. His remarkable resemblance to Carl- stach gradually faded: after all, the presi- dent thought, the resemblance between the two men was largely superficial. , Sibert was stooped, shambling, inefficient. His skin was overcast with a pallid, un- healthy hue, contrasting keenly. with the teller’s fresh, clear complexion; and behiad his double-lensed glasses glowed the sunken eyes of a fanatic. And he talked with an aspirate wheeze, as if his vocal chords were paralyzed. ‘“ Say,” he broke off, “‘ where’s the presi- dent? I want to see him.” “Tm the president,” said that digni- tary. “ What can I do for you?” “You the president? Well, it seems that with all this money—thousands of dollars —you’d need a detective in the building.” “ Millions,” the president corrected him. ‘We have eight millions here, but we al- ready have a detective. Sorry.” ‘Not that I need the money,” pursued Sibert—‘“ now. My folks sent me money from England till the war started, and I have enough for several months yet. My tastes are simple.” “ Sorry, but we have a detective. ” The president rose and opened the wicket gate, signifying that the interview was at an end. missal as final. Twice again (both times in the evening) he accosted the president on the street and sought to discuss his theories on the psychology of crime. The banker Sibert left, but he did not take his dis- THE ARGOSY. Saw no reason to reverse his original opm- ion that the man was a harmless but an- noying crank. It was evident also that he had not given up his hope of becoming the - bank’s detective. He even visited the de- tective, McKenna, after banking hours and asked to be made his assistant. “We know where you live; if we need you, we'll call you,” said McKenna. From all these sources Carlstach heard of the man whom people at first sight mis- tock for himself. He met the whole thing as a great hoax and was inclined to be- lieve (he said laughingly): that he was be- ing made the butt of a practical joke for the amusement of the fellows. However, when the president, cashier, and detective ‘of the bank, and other reputable er vouched for the existence of Sibert, he dropped his levity. There must be some- thing to it after all. A few days later he rushed into the bank with the news: ‘“T’ve seen him. Met him on the street going to my rooms. He’s a nut, a triple- dyed old fool, and the next fellow that says. I look like him, 171] cave his face in. Un- derstand ?”’ “ Carl's right,” said the cashier. ‘ ‘ After you get acquainted with him and hear him talk, you ‘see the difference. If you could see them together, I bet there'd hardly be any resemblance at all.’’ But they were never seen ‘together, and for a very cogent reason. Carlstach was Sibert. Carlstach and Sibert were one and the same man. II. Ir was late in the afternoon and Cari- stach in his apartment was preparing for his evening constitutional. Sometimes he made it a walk; sometimes, a ride. But ‘never did he hold to a beaten path. He would thread the crowded streets at times; again he would speed over the boulevard or walk leisurely through the suburbs. He had no family, no intimate friends, and no regular place for eating. .He might re- main away a day or a week, and his ab- sence would hardly be noted. On this particular afternoon he took 2 zigzag course through town, and twilight — Eonnichoo (-) <SE C@