The Golden Room

NINE

Since the moment of Prince Henry's stunning announcement on the Union Station platform, Mayor Harrison and Harold Armbruster had not had a chance to discuss the matter.

After escorting the prince to his suite at The Palmer House, the pair had gone on to City Hall, accompanied by several other members of the reception committee. Even in the elevator they had not had privacy.

Now, inside the mayor's office, Harrison and Armbruster were alone at last.

The mayor had instructed his receptionist that he did not wish to be disturbed while he was meeting with Armbruster. He had promptly flopped into an easy chair as Armbruster settled on the sofa.

The two men stared at each other silently.

Armbruster broke the silence. 'What do we do, Mayor?'

'I don't know.'

'The only place he wants to spend the evening is in the Everleigh Club. How can we fete him there when there is no Everleigh Club to take him to?'

The mayor was silent again.

'Maybe we could persuade him to have the banquet at my home after all,' said Armbruster.

'No, that won't work,' said the Mayor. 'You heard how emphatic he was about the Everleigh Club. How can I tell him I closed it down in a hurry because of him?'

Armbruster sighed. 'I don't mind cancelling the banquet at my home. I'd even host it in the Everleigh Club, if that'll keep the prince in a good mood.'

'I wouldn't mind that either,' said Mayor Harrison. 'But how?'

'Well, the Everleigh Club is still there.'

'Sure it is, with a big sign posted saying that it's been closed down by order of the mayor. All the furnishings are probably packed for storage, and let me remind you that the Everleighs themselves are locked up in jail.'

'What do you intend to do, Mayor?'

With deliberation, Mayor Harrison prepared a cigar and lighted it. 'There is only one thing we can do,' the mayor said. He took a few puffs on the cigar, contemplated it, and looked at Armbruster. 'Open it before this evening.'

'The two of us can't do that.'

Mayor Harrison sat up. 'But the two of them can do exactly that.'

'You mean Minna and Aida?'

'Yes, they can do it with the help of their servants. They can return the furnishings to their proper place, bring back the girls and music. And present the banquet in their restaurant.'

Armbruster frowned. 'What if they won't do it? What if they refuse to out of spite?'

'Then it's our job to convince them to open up the Everleigh Club. The first thing we have to do…' He jumped up, went to his desk, and reached for the telephone. '… is get them out of jail.'

'Then what?'

The mayor did not reply. He was giving an operator the number for the main police station. In a few seconds, he had Chief of Police Francis O'Neill on the phone.

'Chief, this is the mayor,' Harrison said. 'There's something urgent I want you to do at once.'

'Whatever you say,' replied O'Neill.

'I want Minna and Aida Everleigh out of their cell. Take them to your office and wait for me. I'll be coming down to talk to them. Harold Armbruster will be with me.'

'We just locked them up! Now you want them free?'

'Instantly,' said the mayor. 'The entire operation was a mistake. I want to rectify it this minute. I'll explain to you later.' He paused. 'By the way, what kind of mood are they in after a night in jail?'

'Not too happy,' said the chief. 'Uh, to put it mildly.'

'I thought not,' said the mayor. 'Armbruster and I will be right over.'

Hanging up, the mayor went to retrieve his hat.

'What are we going to say to them?' Armbruster wanted to know.

'We're going to say we're sorry,' said the mayor. 'We're going to apologize abjectly. Then we're going to bargain with them.'

Armbruster joined the mayor. 'I don't think we'll have to bargain much. After all, they'll have their Club open again. That should please them.'

The mayor led Armbruster to the door. Opening the door, he stared at the meat-packer. 'I think it'll take more than that to please them. Much more. You'll see.'

When Mayor Harrison and Armbruster were received by Chief O'Neill as they entered his office, they could see Minna and Aida Everleigh seated stiffly on a couch, somewhat rumpled from their night in jail, and glaring at them.

Losing no time, Mayor Harrison stepped forward and stood before Minna.

'Miss Everleigh,' said Mayor Harrison, 'first I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the inconvenience I've caused you and your sister. I made a mistake, and I'm here to say I'm sorry.'

Minna's countenance was not forgiving. It was defiant. 'You harassed us a long time, Mayor. You finally shut us down and landed us in jail. Now you want to be forgiven. It's not easy.'

'I know it isn't.'

'Now you're saying we're free…'

'Personally,' said the mayor, 'and free to open your Club once again.'

Minna did not soften. 'I don't get it. What's behind this?'

Mayor Harrison tried to collect himself. At last, before speaking, he cleared his throat. 'I am going to level with you, Miss Everleigh. No evasions. No subterfuge. Only the truth, whatever it avails me.' He cleared his throat again. 'This concerns Prince Henry of Prussia – you've heard of him, haven't you?'

'I'm no dummy,' Minna snapped. 'I read the newspapers. Of course, I've heard of him. He's coming to Chicago.'

'He's already here,' the mayor corrected her. 'He arrived this morning. Mr Armbruster and I were among those who officially greeted him. We reviewed the programme of events we'd planned for him. He flatly declined everything for the afternoon. As for the evening banquet, well, I'm embarrassed to tell you. He wants it to be held in the Everleigh Club.'

'He what?' said Minna and Aida in one voice.

'The only site he agrees to visit in Chicago is your Everleigh Club.'

'My God!' Minna exclaimed, slapping her forehead. 'I don't believe it -' She broke into laughter, poking at Aida, who also began to laugh.

Mayor Harrison gulped. 'I know it is funny. I worked relentlessly to shut down your Club. I was so afraid that the prince would hear of it and be repelled. Now he is here and it's all he wants to see. It gave me a whole new perspective on what you have done for our city. Miss Everleigh, will you find enough kindness in your heart to forgive me and open the Club tonight? Isn't that enough to persuade you to resume business?'

Minna stared at him. 'Not quite,' she said slowly, 'not quite. It's a good beginning, but not enough. To open the Club, you have to offer me more.'

'What?' said Mayor Harrison hastily. 'Anything you wish. Name it.'

Minna turned her gaze from the mayor to Armbruster. 'It is something Mr Armbruster must do for me. Otherwise, the Club remains closed.'

'I have much at stake in seeing you open for Prince Henry,' said Armbruster. 'What can I do for you?'

Minna's gaze remained fixed on him. 'You can take back what you said the last time we met. You cancelled the wedding of your son and my niece. You announced the wedding was off. Aida and I want the wedding on. We want it on and we want it to take place in the Everleigh Club. That's our condition. What do you say to that?'

Armbruster flushed but seemed relieved. 'That's your condition for opening the Club?'

'Yes, the wedding.'

'Then you can open the Club. The wedding will take place in your house this evening.' He hesitated. 'In return for that, I have a request. My most heartfelt ambition is to become ambassador to Germany. I was hoping to get a word in to Prince Henry to that effect. Now I can see that a word from you, Miss Everleigh, would carry considerably more weight with the prince. Would you consider doing it?'

Minna laughed good-naturedly. She stood up, crossed the chiefs office, and planted herself in front of Armbruster. 'Why not?' she said, suddenly bending and planting a kiss on the startled Armbruster's cheek. 'I've always wanted my niece to be married to the son of an ambassador!'

Returning to the Everleigh Club, Minna observed that -except for the brightness of the walls and the fountains still bubbling – it resembled a warehouse.

Now there was a single morning and afternoon in which to return the Club to normal.

Her first act was to send Aida scurrying out to contact the servants. They would be needed to unpack the furniture, hang tapestries and artwork, and shelve the books in her library.

Once the servants were found and set to work, Aida's next assignment was to locate the musicians and have them ready to play that night.

Next, Minna ordered Edmund to go from hotel to hotel to meet with the girls and tell them that the Everleigh Club would be open that evening for business after all.

Minna then telephoned Bruce, caught him just awakening, and roused him completely with the word that the Everleigh Club would be open tonight staging a banquet to honour Prince Henry of Prussia, and that a clergyman would be on hand to marry Cathleen to Alan Armbruster.

'Telephone Alan Armbruster and tell him the wedding will take place tonight,' Minna said. 'Tell him his father relented and will be on hand for the festivities. My God, Cathleen doesn't know yet she's going to be a bride. I sent her out with Karen Grant to spend the night with Dr Holmes. He was gracious enough to take them in until I could find them hotel accommodation. Why don't you surprise them by going over to Dr Holmes to give them the good news? When you collect them, return them here. Have Alan accompany you. I'll tell you what, you both come here and take my car to Dr Holmes's. I'll give you his address.'

While waiting for the restoration to begin, Minna hastily pulled her study into shape.

As the dozen servants gradually began to trickle in, the furniture was uncrated under Minna's direction, and gradually began to fill the gaudy chambers once more. In the restaurant, the tables were lined up to form one long banquet table.

Then the musicians brought in their instruments and set them in their familiar positions. After that, the beautiful Everleigh girls, herded by Edmund, jubilantly returned to the Club and began to move their belongings upstairs.

Observing all this activity, Minna felt buoyed with confidence that the Everleigh Club would be its old self in a few hours and that by nightfall it would be fit for a prince and for a wedding.

While supervising the resurrection, Minna realized that she was being interrupted by Edmund.

'What is it, Edmund?'

'Gentleman to see you, Miss Everleigh. Insisted it's a matter of urgency. Wouldn't give me his name, but gave me this calling card.'

Puzzled, Minna took the card. It read:

PINKERTON'S NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY

Beneath the trademark eye, it read:

We Never Sleep

William A. Pinkerton Superintendent Chicago Branch

Minna blinked at the card. William Pinkerton. She had almost forgotten that she had retained him to locate her three missing girls. He had learned nothing in the beginning, and she recalled vaguely that he had told her he would continue working on the case at no extra charge – except if he uncovered some new information.

Now Pinkerton was here to see her – apparently he had uncovered something. She was terribly busy at the moment, yet Pinkerton himself wanted to see her on a matter of 'urgency'.

Minna knew that she could not resist. She must spare the time.

She said to Edmund, 'Tell the gentleman I'll be glad to see him in the privacy of my study. You escort him, Edmund. I'll be there waiting.'

A few minutes later, Minna was settled behind her desk, satisfied that the room was once more in order, when Edmund rapped, announced William Pinkerton, and showed him in.

She had half forgotten his appearance, but when he lumbered in, she recognized him at once. He was this bulky man, with neat, flat hair and an overflowing moustache. He was carrying a thick folder. Without wasting time, he took a chair and drew it up across from Minna.

Opening the folder in his lap, he raised his head.

'You may recall, Miss Everleigh, I advised you after our last conversation on the telephone that I would continue working for you at no cost, unless I found something.'

'Yes.'

'I found something, Miss Everleigh.'

'On the three missing girls?'

'No. On Dr Herman Holmes, your house physician. Remember, I advised you I'd be investigating Dr Holmes himself.'

'I do remember your saying that. But why him?'

'His veracity, or the lack of it,' said Pinkerton. 'I am very experienced in judging when people are or are not speaking the truth. I was immediately suspicious of Dr Holmes. I questioned his veracity.'

'About what?'

'About insisting he did not know what had happened to your three missing girls. I began to check into the background of Dr Herman Holmes. It wasn't easy, but with the help of our branch offices I managed it.'

'Managed what, Mr Pinkerton?'

'I'm afraid what I learned will appal you.'

Minna's heart tripped. 'Tell me… tell me what you found out.'

Shuffling through his notes, Pinkerton did not look up. 'To begin with, his name is not Herman H. Holmes. His real name is Herman Webster Mudgett. He has one of the most unsavoury backgrounds I have ever come across. There exists evidence that Dr Holmes has been a forger, bigamist, horse-thief, mad scientist, swindler – and possibly, quite possibly, most likely although not yet proved, a Bluebeard of sorts, a compulsive murderer.'

Minna trembled. 'I can't believe it. He's gentle, mild, and as a physician most professional. Are you sure of your data, Mr Pinkerton?'

'Judge for yourself.' He began to read from his notes, actually skimming the notes and giving Minna his findings in abbreviated form. 'At eighteen, Holmes eloped with the daughter of a well-off New Hampshire farmer. His new wife paid his tuition to study medicine at a small college. Then he transferred to the medical school at the University of Michigan. A student friend who carried life insurance worth $12,500, and who worked with Holmes and named him the beneficiary, soon disappeared. Holmes then abandoned his wife and moved to the state of New York. He boarded with a farmer, seduced the farmer's wife, left her pregnant and dropped from sight. He next turned up in Chicago, where he bigamously married one Myrtle Belknap, twice tried to poison her father, then fled to St Louis. He became friends with Benjamin Pietzel, a swindler. He came back to Chicago, changed his name to Holmes, and posed as an inventor. He escaped from his work leaving $9,000 in debts. He bought the building he now lives in on Wallace and Sixty-third streets and remodelled it as a hotel for the World's Fair. Many of his guests were never seen again. One was Julia Connor, along with her eight-year-old daughter. Mrs Connor had left her husband to become Holmes's mistress – before she vanished. Travelling to Texas, Holmes met Minnie Williams, who, with her sister Nannie, owned property worth $75,000. Holmes disposed of it and ran off with the cash. There followed other women in his life, including Emily Van Tassel and Emeline Cigrand. All eventually disappeared. Holmes brought his friend Pietzel from St Louis to take care of the house. Eventually Pietzel was found dead. Perhaps Pietzel had made the mistake of taking out life insurance, with Holmes as the beneficiary. Visiting Denver, Holmes married Georgianne Yoke, even though he already had two wives. Then came others -'

Agitated, Minna held up her hand. 'Don't tell me any more. Do you think he murdered all those people who disappeared?'

'What do you think, Miss Everleigh?'

Minna was more agitated than ever. Her voice quavered. 'I… I think I've made a horrible mistake. I allowed my niece Cathleen and her friend Karen Grant to move in with Dr Holmes yesterday, until I could find them adequate hotel lodgings.'

Pinkerton's frown deepened. 'Your niece and Miss Grant are staying with Dr Holmes?'

'Yes, I'm afraid so. The Everleigh Club was temporarily closed down, and I was having trouble finding accommodation for Cathleen and Karen. Dr Holmes volunteered to take them in. How could I know that he might be a monster, a -?'

'You didn't know,' said Pinkerton. 'Now we must try to get them back, if it's not too late.'

'I've already sent Cathleen's fiance and my nephew to Dr Holmes's residence to bring them back here.'

Pinkerton shook his head. 'I'm sure he'll turn them away. He'll say the women left and he doesn't know where they went. The young men won't get anywhere. Miss Everleigh, this is a matter for the police. Let me use your telephone immediately.'

Minna nodded dumbly, and Pinkerton reached for the phone and told the operator to connect him with the main police station.

Once connected, Pinkerton told Captain Zubukovic, who answered, that he had to speak to Chief of Police Francis O'Neill at once.

'I'm sorry, sir. The chief is out for the next few hours. Can I help?'

'This is an emergency,' said Pinkerton. 'I'm sure you can help.'

'What's on your mind?'

Quickly, after introducing himself, Pinkerton told Captain Zubukovic what he had learned about Dr Herman Holmes,

and about the two women whose lives might be endangered. 'I think you should rush a squad of police to the Holmes residence – Holmes might do something homicidal.'

'Do you have evidence that Dr Holmes is a murderer?'

'Circumstantial evidence, but extremely convincing.'

'Not enough for me to act on just on the basis of a telephone call,' said the captain. 'I suggest you come right over and show me your evidence. I'd have to see for myself before I could order a raid.'

'The delay might make it too late.'

'Mr Pinkerton, I can't do any more without a go-ahead from the chief. I suggest you come right over here with your file.'

'I'm on my way,' said Pinkerton, hanging up. He came to his feet with surprising agility. 'Miss Everleigh, there's not a minute to lose. I can only pray your Alan and Bruce have some luck with Dr Holmes. Otherwise, I can't vouch for the lives of Cathleen and Karen.'

With that, Pinkerton rushed out of the room.

Minna remained immobilized in her chair, paralysed with fear.

In his bedroom in the Castle, Dr Holmes awakened late in the morning.

His bedside clock told him it was just before eleven o'clock. Lying in bed, he wondered if his guests were awake yet.

Yesterday evening, after taking them from the Everleigh Club, Holmes had driven Cathleen and Karen in his Packard to the Saratoga Restaurant and Oyster House for a lavish dinner.

A lavish dinner because he wanted to soften them, fatten them up, for the following day.

Now it was that day, and Holmes felt euphoric, relishing the possibilities the day offered.

Leaving his bed, he contemplated the joys immediately ahead. He would make love to each of them separately, two virgins he was sure. That would be memorable. If rejected by them, he would gas and kill them, and dismember each, which was a sexual thrill in itself.

Having finished his dressing, and touching up his attire, he reached into a drawer of the bedside table, where his Colt.45 lay always loaded. He did not think he would need it, but just in case one of the women panicked or resisted, the gun would be useful to have on hand.

Shoving the Colt into a pocket of his jacket, he left his room and headed for Cathleen's bedroom on the second floor. He had decided that Cathleen would be the first. He guessed that she was more pliant and would give in more quickly.

The night before, he had locked her door from the outside – just to be sure she would not go wandering about, getting into trouble.

Now he unlocked her door and went inside.

Cathleen was buttoning the waist of her skirt.

'Oh,' she gasped. 'I didn't expect you to walk in like this.'

'I was sure you'd be up and about,' he said, taking a chair. He observed her. She was small, dainty, genteel. He was positive that she would be a delightful bed companion. 'Cathleen,' he said. 'You needn't bother to finish dressing.'

She seemed startled, and paused in her buttoning. 'What do you mean?'

'I mean that I know your wedding is off. You don't have a man. You should have one to pleasure you. You're a free woman now, and you can do whatever you want. I thought you might want me.'

Her hands dropped limply to her sides as she stared at him. 'What are you talking about?'

'I'm talking about having you undress and get back into bed. I'll join you. A man of my experience can make you very happy.'

'How dare you!' she burst out.

'You were going to give yourself to that young Armbruster boy-'

'He was going to marry me.'

'I'm ready to marry you too,' said Holmes.

'Are you insane? I don't want to marry you. I don't even know you. I only know what my Aunt Minna told me, that you were a gentleman. I see she was wrong.'

'Well, you don't have to marry me. Just go to bed with me.'

'No, never! Not in a million years! Wait till Aunt Minna hears this.'

Calmly, Dr Holmes came to his feet. 'Your Aunt Minna is never going to hear this. If you reject me, you're going to be dead.'

'Dead?' Cathleen whispered hollowly. 'Surely you're teasing me, joking.'

'Dead,' Holmes repeated, 'unless you comply. I'll give you a few minutes to think about it. I'm going to see Karen next. I'm sure she's more sensible.'

Turning his back on Cathleen, he left the bedroom, shut the door, and carefully locked it.

He walked down the hall to the other bedroom. He unlocked it and stepped inside.

Karen was seated in an easy chair, fully dressed, legs crossed, tapping one foot angrily. 'So here you are,' she said. 'What in the devil do you mean locking me into this bedroom? I wanted to get out for a breath of fresh air. I thought you were our host, not our warden.'

Holmes smiled. 'I'm not your host, whatever Minna Ever-leigh may think.'

'Just tell me what you want and let me out of here.'

'You, I want you,' said Dr Holmes. 'That's what I want. You've been a virgin too long. I want to make you a woman.'

Karen came to her feet. 'You'd have to rape me to accomplish that.'

Dr Holmes rose slowly, clearly offended. 'I've never contemplated rape, never. I can't imagine forcing myself on a female. I've never done that in my life.'

'Then let me out of here immediately!'

'I couldn't do that either,' said Holmes softly. 'I want you. If I can't have you, no one else shall. What I'm offering you, Karen, is an affirmation of life. Otherwise I can offer you only death.'

She met his burning eyes. 'I think you actually mean that.'

'I've meant it before.'

'You're an absolute madman! I'm getting out of here!'

As she tried to pass him, Dr Holmes roughly grabbed her and spun her around in a violent lurch.

She looked at him, frightened.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Colt.45. 'You're going nowhere except where I tell you to go. Right now we're going to Cathleen's room to join her. She's expecting me. Get out into the hall and turn left.'

Waving his gun at Karen, he forced her out of the room. Then, prodding her with the metal gun, he marched her up the hall to Cathleen's bedroom. There, gun trained on Karen, he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Cathleen was seated on the foot of the bed, very still, stricken. The sight of the gun at Karen's back made her recoil.

Holmes gestured Karen into the bedroom, and commanded her to sit beside Cathleen.

'All right, the two of you,' Dr Holmes said in a low voice, 'last chance.'

'Why are you doing this?' Karen asked weakly.

'Because I made a proposal to the two of you,' he answered, 'and if I freed you – well, you could be witnesses against me and ruin me.'

'What if we gave in to you?' Karen asked. 'How would that protect us?'

'I'd find a way,' said Holmes mysteriously. 'I could make you happy – one at a time – after I tied the other up. What do you say?'

Cathleen glanced at Karen. 'I couldn't,' she said.

Karen gazed at Holmes directly. 'Neither could I,' she said emphatically.

Dr Holmes snorted. 'Stupid,' he said, 'but your choice.' He aimed the gun first at one, then the other. 'Both of you, on your feet.'

He backed out of the bedroom, signalling them to walk through the doorway, past him.

'Where are we going?' Karen wanted to know.

'Down the hall, that way. Then down the staircase. I'll be right behind you. Try to get away and you're dead. At the bottom, turn to the right and go to the blank wall.'

In a single file they crossed the hallway and descended the stairs, with Holmes pointing his gun at their heads.

They turned right and continued to the blank wall. They stopped and waited for his next command.

Holmes, still holding the gun on them, went to the far side of the wall and pressed a button.

A portion of wall slid open. The women stared into the eerie, partially illuminated room, barren except for the examination table.

'Go inside,' Holmes commanded. 'Step up to the table and wait. Don't try to escape. There is no escape.'

'What – what's going to happen?' Karen wanted to know.

'You'll see,' said Holmes.

He pressed the button and the wall slid closed on the airtight room.

Satisfied, chuckling, Dr Holmes pocketed the Colt, pivoted, and started for his office. As he entered the room and strode over to the gas lever panel, there was the sound of the front doorbell.

This was unexpected, and Holmes halted in his tracks. He peered over his shoulder at the entry as the doorbell rang again and again, more persistently.

Should he answer the doorbell?

Or should he continue to the lever and turn on the gas?

He remained where he was standing, unable to make up his mind.