Swindled!: The 1906 Journal of Fitz Morgan Read Online Free Page A

country.”
    I examined a modern microscope at the work desk and tried to keep from drooling. “You’re allowed to travel alone?” I asked.
     I really meant. You’re just a baby.
    “Of course,” she replied. “I’m wise beyond my years.”
    “What does that mean?”
    She shrugged and said, “Everyone I meet says it–except my governess. She says she needs a break from me. That’s why she stayed
     back in New York. My family lives there, but Mother and Father are in Sacramento now.”
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    “Is your father working on a case?” I asked, as my eyes wandered to a framed note from the late President Abraham Lincoln.
     It thanked the Pinkertons for bringing many criminals to justice.
    “My parents were returning from the Far East by way of California when my father got a telegram,” Justine said. “He was needed
     in Sacramento to help solve a string of mysterious bank robberies. Father asked the train company to bring him our Pullman.
     I came along for the ride. Once we arrive in San Francisco, this car will be attached to another train that will take me up
     to Sacramento.”
    I was only half listening to her. Standing in front of a tall bookcase that took up an entire wall of the laboratory, I was
     running my eyes greedily over row after row of beautiful books. The leather bindings had titles such as CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
     by Hans Gross, FINGERPRINTS by Sir Francis Galton-and hundreds of others. It was the most complete library of crime and detection
     I had ever seen!

    Justine noticed my gaze and said, “I’ve read them all. Well, almost all. I love criminology. Don’t laugh, but my dream is
     to be the first woman in my family to go to law school.” As if to keep me from teasing her, she quickly continued, “These
     books helped me set up the hallway alarm you triggered–”
    “I did not! I sidestepped all your devices,” I cried, sounding more defensive than I’d intended. Justine just laughed again.
     “What alarm did I trigger?” I asked.
    “I can’t tell you that. I never know when that snoop Fitz Morgan might try to trespass again,” she replied, her eyes gleaming
     happily. “You set off my alarm, and I came to investigate. It’s a good thing, too. You need looking after.”
    Not by a spoiled girl like you, I almost said, but thought better of it. Envy was getting the better of me. Instead I told
     her, “I can take care of myself thank you.”
    “I’ll be the judge of that,” Justine said once again. She jutted out her chin in a way she probably thought made her look
     tough. But to me it just looked funny. Now it was my turn to laugh.
    “Don’t you dare make fun of me,” she shouted. “I forbid it!”
    This only made me laugh harder and helped to push aside my bad feelings. After all, I thought, Justine was sharing her dreams
     with me–not to mention, she had saved my life! It was time I got over my jealousy and acted my age.
    “I’ll be the judge of that,” I said, mimicking her and giving her a genuine smile.
    She still looked a little hurt, so after a moment of thought, I added, “In fact, from now on, I think I’ll call you Judge.”
    She shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense. There aren’t any female judges.”
    “Then calling yourself Judge Pinkerton will give you a head start in changing things.”
    She was silent for a moment, thinking it over. “Judge… hmm… I guess I could live with that.” But it was clear from her happy
     expression that she really liked the name.
    Just then we heard a door open in the other room. We rushed back to where Agent Howard lay motionless on the sofa in time
     to see William Henry enter with two men. He pointed to the shorter of the two and said, “This is Mr. Spike. He’s the lead
     conductor and my