Double Trouble Or, Every Hero His Own Villain   By: Herbert Quick (1861-1925)

by

HERBERT QUICK

Author of Aladdin & Co., In the Fairyland of America

With Illustrations by Orson Lowell

[Frontispiece: Instantly he was aware of the descent upon him of a fiery comet of femininity]

Pervasive Woman! In our hours of ease, Our cloud dispeller, tempering storm to breeze! But when our dual selves the pot sets bubbling, Our cares providing, and our doubles troubling! Secret Ritual of the A.O.C.M.

Indianapolis The Bobbs Merrill Company Publishers Copyright 1906 The Bobbs Merrill Company January

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I A SLEEP AND A FORGETTING II THE RIDDLE OF RAIMENT AND DATES III ANY PORT IN A STORM IV AN ADVENTURE IN BENARES V SUBLIMINAL ENGINEERING VI THE JONES PLANE OF MENTALITY VII ENTER THE LEGAL MIND VIII POISING FOR THE PLUNGE IX IN DARKEST PENNSYLVANIA X THE WRONG HOUSE XI THE FIRST BATTLE, AND DEFEAT XII ON THE FIRM GROUND OF BUSINESS XIII THE MARTYRDOM OF MR. STEVENS XIV THE TREASON OF ISEGRIM THE WOLF XV THE TURPITUDE OF BRASSFIELD XVI THE OFFICE GOES IN QUEST OF THE MAX XVII THE HONOR NEARS ITS QUARRY XVIII A GLORIOUS VICTORY XIX THE ENTRAPPING OF MR. BRASSFIELD XX THE STRAWBERRY BLONDE XXI SOME ALTERNATIONS IN THE CURRENT XXII A REVIVAL OF BELSHAZZAR XXIII THE MOVING FINGER WRITES

ILLUSTRATIONS

Instantly he was aware of the descent upon him of a fiery comet of femininity . . . . . . Frontispiece

She seemed to emanate from the tiger skin as a butterfly from the chrysalis

A new thrill ran through the man and a new light came into his eyes.

Vast and complete was the system of notes built up by the professor and the judge

There she sits so attentive to her book that his entrance has not attracted her notice

Soon their heads were close together over plans

"Those red ones," said the judge, "are the very devil for showing on black!"

"I am taking Miss Waldron home," said Mr. Amidon

The Persons of the Story :

FLORIAN AMIDON, a respectable young banker of literary and artistic tastes.

EUGENE BRASSFIELD, for a description of whose peculiarities the reader is referred to the text.

ELIZABETH WALDRON, a young woman just out of school.

JUDGE BLODGETT, an elderly lawyer.

MADAME LE CLAIRE, a professional occultist.

PROFESSOR BLATHERWICK, her father, a German scientist.

DAISY SCARLETT, a young woman of fervid complexion and a character to match.

EDGINGTON AND COX, lawyers.

ALVORD, a man about a small town.

AARON, a Sudanese serving man.

MRS. PUMPHREY, ) MISS SMITH, ) DOCTOR JULIA BROWN, ) Members of the elite of Bellevale. MRS. ALVORD, ) MRS. MEYER, )

MRS. HUNTER, of Hazelhurst.

MR. SLATER, ) MR. BULLIWINKLE, ) Prominent male residents of Bellevale. MR. STEVENS, ) MR. KNAGGS, )

SHEEHAN, ) Labor leaders. ZALINSKY, )

CONLON, a contractor.

CLERKS, STENOGRAPHERS, SERVANTS, POLITICIANS, WAITERS, MEMBERS OF THE A. O. C. M., PORTERS, AND CITIZENS ON FOOT AND IN CARRIAGES.

SCENE: In Hazelhurst, Wisconsin; New York City, and Bellevale, Pennsylvania. [N. B. It might be anywhere else in these states, east or west.]

TIME: From June, 1896, to March, 1901 but this is not insisted upon.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

I

A SLEEP AND A FORGETTING