The Night of the Absentee Agent

Chapter 2

The Discovery

"What do you mean? How could he still be alive? Didn't he have a funeral?"

"As you know, my father was a doctor. He was moving the family west to set up a practice in the new territories. We joined a wagon train for part of the journey and that's when my brother disappeared. We were six years old at the time. There had been reports of a mountain lion hanging around and, at night, extra guards were posted for protection. One morning I awoke and Adolphus was nowhere to be found. They searched the surrounding countryside but they found nothing. My parents were persuaded that the mountain lion had taken him off. They reckoned he went out to the bushes, in the dark, to relieve himself, and didn't see the beast that attacked him until it was too late."

"Didn't anyone think it was odd that a cougar could carry off a boy that age and that no one heard anything?"

"Possibly, but they couldn't find any other way to explain how my brother could just disappear into thin air. And we couldn't hang around, to hunt down the lion, because the longer the journey took, the greater the risk of cholera. Several families had lost children to the disease already. Life was pretty tough back then and everyone was desperate to reach a place where they could settle down in safety. Besides, a day later, we were due to leave the train to make our own way."

"So how did you find out that Adolphus was alive? And how come he didn't turn up in the last forty years?"

"Let me tell you the story from the start. I was alone on the Wanderer when there was a knock on the door..."

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Artie had arrived back at the train to find that Jim had gone off somewhere. He was just about to look for some clue as to where he had gone when there was a knock at the door and Jeremy Pike appeared.

"Hi Jer, this is a nice surprise. What brings you here?"

"Colonel Richmond asked me to take over from you. He wants you in Washington as soon as possible."

"This is very sudden. Do you know why?"

"No idea. Is Jim around?"

"No, I'm not sure where he is."

"Don't worry; I'll wait for him here. There's a coach and horses outside waiting to whisk you away. I should get going if I were you."

"Yes, yes, I'll just go and pack a few things," Artie said.

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Later that day, after a hurried journey, Artie found himself being greeted by a concerned Colonel Richmond.

"Artemus, I hope your journey was not too uncomfortable."

"I daresay I shall recover in a day or two, Colonel."

"Please sit down. I need to talk to you about a situation that has arisen."

Artie settled himself in one of the leather armchairs, with which the office was furnished, and the Colonel sat in the other.

"There's been a hold-up of the mail train, on its way from Kansas City. One of the passengers was knocked unconscious."

"How can I help?" Artie asked.

"One of our men was despatched to look into the matter, name of Sanderson. I believe you know him."

"Yes, we were on assignment together a few years back. How is he?"

"He's fine and he remembers you too."

"Colonel, I don't want to seem rude but I was told that you wanted to see me urgently. I'm sure Sanderson is perfectly capable of investigating the matter so would you mind telling me why I'm here?"

"I'll get straight to the point. Sanderson sent in a report, claiming that the passenger who was injured was you."

"What, how could that be?"

"That was exactly my reaction. I was certain you were on the Wanderer with Jim West so I asked for proof. I received this photograph of the unconscious man this morning."

The Colonel handed a piece of pasteboard to Artie, who looked at it intently. The man was pale, the result of his being knocked out, no doubt, but it was him all right. A question came softly from his lips. "Adolphus?" he questioned.

"No, the man's name is Samuel Treadwell," Richmond corrected him.

"No, you don't understand, I had a twin brother named Adolphus. He disappeared when we were six years old and we thought he was dead. This must be him. It was a long time ago but I recall that there was a family we knew called the Treadwells. They must have taken him."

"I'm sorry, Artemus, I had no idea," the Colonel said. "This must be a terrific shock for you." In fact Artie had gone as pale as the man in the photograph.

"It is, I've grown up with the idea that he was dead, I can't believe that I haven't heard anything about him in forty years. Can I see him?"

"Yes, but that will have to wait. Have you heard of The Magpie?" the Colonel asked.

"Yes, he's notorious for stealing expensive jewels, hence the name. He's changed his habits recently and is suspected of the recent theft of printing plates from the national mint. No one knows what he looks like, though. What has this to do with my brother?"

"Samuel Treadwell is mixed up with The Magpie. He's a master of disguise, not unlike you. That's why no one knew what he looked like either, until now."

Artie was shocked to hear that his long-lost twin brother was a criminal. He tried not to show it as he said, "But why do you need me?"

"No one knows where Treadwell is except me and Sanderson. I want you to impersonate him. We'll let it be known that Treadwell has been injured and is in the local hospital then we wait for The Magpie to contact you."

"How will he do that?"

"Treadwell was carrying a letter confirming a hotel booking in St. Louis. We sent word there that he's in hospital in Kansas City and to forward all messages. The Magpie will trace you that way. Once he accepts you as Treadwell, you can pass us information about his identity and where he has hidden the counterfeiting plates. According to Treadwell, only The Magpie knows where they're hidden."

"What sort of cover are you going to provide? Jim and everyone else will think I'm in Washington."

"No one is to know what you're really doing. I'll have a photo taken of you and get you to make a recorded message, giving the impression that you're having a great time in the Capitol. Over time, we'll send those to James, just to make sure he doesn't ask questions."

"I can see complications ahead," Artie said. 'Jim, I really wish you had my back on this one,' he thought.

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