The Phantom of Manhattan Read Online Free PDF Page B

questions. So one night in mid-January 1894 I stood on the end of the longest quay and watched the stern lights of the tramp steamer disappear into the darkness, bound for the New World. Tell me, Father, is there someone else with us? I cannot see but I feel someone here.’
    ‘Indeed, there is a man who has just entered.’
    ‘I am Armand Dufour, madame. A novice came to my chambers and said that I was needed here.’
    ‘And you are a notary and commissioner for oaths?’
    ‘Indeed I am, madame.’
    ‘Monsieur Dufour, I wish you to reach beneath my pillow. I would do so myself but I am become too weak. Thank you. What do you find?’
    ‘Why, a letter of some sort, enclosed in a fine manila envelope. And a small bag of chamois leather.’
    ‘Precisely. I wish you to take pen and ink and sign across the sealed flap that this letter has been delivered into your charge this day, and has not been opened by you or anyone else.’
    ‘My child, I beg you hurry. We have not finished our business.’
    ‘Patience, Father. I know my time is short but after so many years of silence I must now struggle to complete the course. Are you done, M. le Notaire?’
    ‘It has been written just as you requested, madame.’
    ‘And on the front of the envelope?’
    ‘I see, written in what must surely be your own hand, the words: M. Erik Muhlheim, New York City.’
    ‘And the small leather bag?’
    ‘I have it in my hand.’
    ‘Open it if you please.’
    ‘ Nom d’un chien! Gold Napoleons. I have not seen these since …’
    ‘But they are still valid tender?’
    ‘Certainly, and most valuable.’
    ‘Then I wish you to take them all, and the letter, and take it to New York City and deliver it. Personally.’
    ‘Personally? In New York? But, madame, I do not usually … I have never been …’
    ‘Please, M. le Notaire. There is enough gold? For five weeks away from the office?’
    ‘More than enough, but …’
    ‘My child, you cannot know this man is still alive.’
    ‘Oh, he will have survived, Father. He will always survive.’
    ‘But I have no address for him. Where to find him?’
    ‘Ask, M. Dufour. Search the immigration records. The name is rare enough. He will be there somewhere. A man who wears a mask to hide his face.’
    ‘Very well, madame. I will try. I will go there and I will try. But I cannot guarantee success.’
    ‘Thank you. Tell me, Father, has one of the sisters administered to me a spoonful of tincture of a white powder?’
    ‘Not in the hour that I have been here, ma fille . Why?’
    ‘It is strange but the pain has gone. Such beautiful, sweet relief. I cannot see to either side but I can see a sort of tunnel and an arch. My body was in such pain but now it hurts no more. It was so cold but now there is warmth everywhere.’
    ‘Do not delay, Monsieur l’Abbe. She is leaving us.’
    ‘Thank you, Sister. I hope I may know my duty.’
    ‘I am walking towards the arch, there is light at the end. Such sweet light. Oh, Lucien, are you there? I am coming, my love.’
    ‘ In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti …’
    ‘Hurry, Father.’
    ‘ Ego te absolvo ab omnibus peccatis tuis. ’
    ‘Thank you, Father.’

2
    THE CHANT OF ERIK MUHLHEIM
    PENTHOUSE SUITE, E.M. TOWER, PARK ROW, MANHATTAN, OCTOBER 1906
    EVERY DAY, SUMMER OR WINTER, RAIN OR SHINE, I rise early. I dress and come up from my quarters to this small square rooftop terrace atop the pinnacle of the highest skyscraper in all New York. From here, depending upon which side of the square I stand, I can look west across the Hudson River towards the open green lands of New Jersey. Or north towards the Mid and Uptown sections of this amazing island so full of wealth and filth, extravagance and poverty, vice and crime. Or south towards the open sea which leads back to Europe and the bitter road I have travelled. Or east across the river to Brooklyn and, lost in the sea mist, the lunatic enclave called Coney Island, the original source of