CHAPTER VIII.
NICK CARTER’S INSIGHT.
It was late in the afternoon. The dusk had begun to gather, and lamps were gleaming in some of the store windows.
Daylight still found its way into the business office of Nick Carter’s residence, however, when he hung up his telephone receiver and placed the instrument on his desk. His only companion was his chief assistant, and the faces of both were unusually grave.
"Who was it?" Chick inquired, when Nick turned in his swivel chair.
"A man who said his name is Frank Steel," Nick replied. "He is employed in a Lexington Avenue provision store. He wanted to know whether Patsy had returned with his motor cycle."
"By gracious, that beats hearing nothing from Patsy," Chick cried, with countenance lighting. "It gives us a hint, at least, at what has occurred to him. What more did he say? Could he give you any definite information?"
"Some very suggestive information," Nick replied. "I begin to scent the rat in the meal. I can tell you in a nutshell."
Nick then proceeded to do so. Steel had, in fact, become quite anxious concerning Patsy’s prolonged absence, and he had told Nick all that had transpired in the provision store that day, also informing him of Patsy’s interest in the occupant of the opposite flat, and all about the man who had called there.
"By Jove, there is only one way of sizing that up," said Chick, after listening intently. "We know that old Mr. Mantell did not go there. The man who called, then, must have been Goulard."
"Undoubtedly."
"And Patsy must have recognized him."
"No, not so," Nick quickly objected. "That’s the trouble. That’s why he is in wrong, unless I am much mistaken."
"You mean——”
"If he had recognized Goulard, he would have arrested him on the spot," Nick interposed. "The circumstances admit of only one interpretation."
"Namely?"
"Patsy supposed him to be the elder Mantell, and the fact that he was calling on Sadie Badger, or some other serious suspicion concerning him, led Patsy to pursue the taxicab. There’s no other way of sizing it up."
"He may have recognized Helen Mantell," Chick suggested.
"That is not probable," Nick again objected. "Goulard would not have been running around with her in a taxicab, unless she was completely drugged and carefully veiled."
"Not likely, Nick, I’ll admit," Chick nodded.
"I’m sure of it."
"But what sent Goulard to see Sadie Badger?" Chick questioned. "Why did he take such a risk?"
"I think I know," Nick said gravely.
"What do you make of it?"
"His visit alone shows that they must be on a friendly footing."
"Surely."
"I think, Chick, that he saw that newspaper story of the robbery Sadie committed last night," Nick continued. "He may not have known that she had the job in view, but he probably knew under the steps of whose house he cornered and confined me. After reading the story of the robbery, he may have had some reason to suspect Sadie of having been the thief. He may know that she has been friendly with Buckley’s clerk, who gave her the tip that caused her to do the job."
"By Jove, there may be something in that," Chick quickly allowed.
"Knowing, then, under what circumstances I was there, Goulard may have reasoned that I perhaps got wise to something. After reading the newspaper story, then, he evidently hastened to put Sadie Badger on her guard."
"Very likely. I see the point."
"If I am right, and his visit under such circumstances strongly indicates that I am, Sadie would have told him of her encounter with me and all that followed," Nick added, a bit grimly.
"By Jove, that’s too true for a joke," Chick quickly declared. "In that case, Nick, your subterfuge is all off, and the woman may have bolted."
"You are right on one point, Chick."
"Regarding the subterfuge?"
"Yes."
"But not the other?"
"I think not," Nick said thoughtfully. "Both Goulard and Sadie Badger have extraordinary nerve. They don’t scare easily. Both, moreover, would give a trifle, or even take a desperate chance, to wipe me off the map."
"No doubt of it."
"Here’s a very significant point, then," Nick added. "Both will naturally reason that I know nothing about their relations, and that I expect to get by with my subterfuge and accomplish something extraordinary."
"Certainly. That is the only logical way they can be regarded."
"That being the case, then, they may decide to let me attempt it—with a view to trapping me and wiping me out."
"By gracious, that’s even more probable," cried Chick. "You are right, Nick. I was wrong on one point. I would be willing to wager, now, that Sadie Badger has not bolted. I would almost bet, in fact, that she and Goulard have something framed up for you."
"I really think so myself, Chick."
"But there is one other contingency."
"Namely?"
"Patsy’s long absence and the fact that we have not heard from him," said Chick. "He must be in wrong, or he would have found some way to communicate such important information as Steel has stated. If he has fallen into Goulard’s hands, Goulard may have warned the woman to get out of her flat."
"I don’t think so," said Nick. "Goulard would reason that Patsy, whatever he may have learned, has had no opportunity to inform us since obtaining his evidence."
"Right again," Chick quickly nodded. "But what scheme will they shape up by which to get you? If we knew——”
"There is only one way of learning," Nick cut in.
"By going up against it?"
"Exactly."
"You intend doing so?"
"I certainly do."
"When?"
"At once. Before they can find time to learn more than they already know," Nick declared. "I’ll pay Sadie Badger my promised visit within half an hour."
"But where do I fit in?" Chick inquired. "How can I aid you to the best advantage?"
Nick gazed thoughtfully at the floor for several moments. Then, abruptly looking up, he said quickly:
"Listen. I’ll tell you how."
Precisely half an hour later, as Nick had predicted, a roughly clad man, a perfect likeness of Sadie Badger’s partner in crime the previous night, entered the vestibule of the Lexington Avenue flat and pressed the electric bell.
At just about the same time, unobserved by any of the few pedestrians then in that locality, a second man stole into an alley leading to the rear of the brick block, and sought the gloomy yard back of the third house.
This second man was Chick Carter.