The Dare-Devil Detective

Summary

Austere chandeliers splinter candle-fire across Count Landmann’s marble vestibule where betrothal waltzes pirouette beside empty picture-hooks; betrothed to Hilda Ragnald—scintillating danseuse whose footfalls seduce parquet—Landmann invites celebrated sleuth Hayes under the guise of cousin to staunch the clandestine hemorrhage of canvases and statuettes. No sooner has champagne foamed than Hayes clocks Hilda’s sibling Harry, a prestidigitator of forged pedigrees whose rap sheet unfurls like a Berlin cabaret banner yet never snags a conviction. The Count, intoxicated on heirloom hubris, bedecks his fiancée with a 100 000-pound rope of salt-water moons, banking on the bank’s vault to reclaim them at dawn; instead, midnight sees sibling conspirators baiting the detective with false flirtation, engineering his social disgrace. From chloroformed couriers on hurtling expresses to roof-top shadow-boxing above moonlit wheat, Hayes pursues the grift through discarded valises—empty—until an innocuous postal cipher “Three Signs at the Crossroads” lures him into drag of hag and hotel bell-boy, peeling layers of masquerade like onion skins. The trail tunnels to Rosenweig’s strong-room where the pearls glow inside a velvet trap; a contrite Count, once ready to exile his only ally, now joins forced entry, reclaims treasure, and salvages heart. In the hush before paddy-wagons clang, forgiveness is tendered more swiftly than handcuffs, sealing an alliance of aristocrat and gumshoe against a backdrop where art, trust, and identity prove the most forgeable commodities of all.

Synopsis

Count Landmann is engaged to be married to Hilda Ragnald, a famous dancer, and he writes to tell Detective Hayes of his engagement, and mentions at the same time that various valuable works of art have lately been disappearing from his house. He wants Hayes to help him solve the mystery. On the evening of the reception given by Count Landmann to celebrate his engagement, Hayes arrives, and is introduced as a relative. He thinks he recognizes Hilda's brother, and his suspicions are very shortly confirmed. Harry Ragnald is a swindler, well known to the police, but so far uncaught by them. Count Landmann allows his fiancée to wear a string of pearls, a priceless family heirloom, on the night of the reception, but tells her that it is usually kept in the bank and insured for 100,000 pounds. Hilda, in league with her brother, tries to steal the pearls, but they discover that Hayes is a detective and not a relative, and fearing detection they bide their time. To try and get rid of Hayes, Hilda complains to her fiancée of his conduct. She asserts that he has been making love to her and has tried to kiss her. Count Landmann is greatly incensed, and tells Hayes that he engaged him to protect his property and not to make love to his future wife. Hayes is indignant at this insult, but swallowing his pride he determines to watch Harry Ragnald closer than ever. The bank officials come to fetch the string of pearls to take them back to safe custody. Harry Ragnald follows them to the station and jumps into their compartment as the train leaves the platform, but Hayes, disguised as a porter, is on his track. Ragnald manages to chloroform the officials and steal the bag from them containing the pearls. An exciting scene follows. Hayes chases Ragnald over the roof of the train. Ragnald throws away the bag, and Hayes jumps off the train as it rushes long and finds that he has risked his life for nothing. Ragnald has cheated him, for the bag is empty. Suddenly Hayes remembers a message he once happened to see from Ragnald, saying there would be a letter waiting at the post office, "The Three Signs at the Cross Roads." Disguised, he calls for the letter, and after reading it he returns it to be called for later by Ragnald's accomplice. Without loss of time he dashes off in a motor to the crossroads, the place appointed in the letter for the meeting. Disguised as an old hag he awaits the swindlers' arrival. He follows, and disguised as a "Boots" he makes further discoveries. Ragnald recognizes him and again puts him on a wrong scent. Hayes traces Ragnald and Hilda to Rosenweig's house, where they are trying to dispose of the pearls. On the pretext of selling him a piece of jewelry, he manages to see the pearls in Rosenweig's safe. Notwithstanding the injustice Count Landmann has done him, Hayes acquaints him with his discovery, and that evening they arrange to meet outside Rosenweig's house. Forcing their way, they catch Rosenweig and the Ragnalds discussing how to dispose of the pearls. The police arrest them, and the pearls are returned to their rightful owner. Count Landmann is overcome with gratitude to Hayes for having saved him from taking a step which would have ruined his whole life. He begs him to forgive him for ever having doubted him. Hayes, delighted at the success of his efforts, willingly forgives him, and they end up as good friends.