In a moment Carter put his head in at the dining room door. “I’d like to see you in the study when you get through,” he said to Chick. “Don’t hurry, though. There’s time enough.” His assistant did justice to the meal, but wasted no time in conversation with the rest. Fifteen minutes later he went up to the study and found his chief seated at the desk. “You think Crawford is in danger, then?” Chick asked, as he entered. Carter’s face was grave. “I fear he is,” he said. “Something tells me that I may be called on to save our friend’s life again before long—or try to. It’s more than possible, of course, that my suspicions are groundless. It isn’t likely that Stone knew Follansbee was a crook before he called on him. He may not know it now, and Follansbee may not be planning anything out of the way. The situation is full of sinister possibilities, however, and I feel compelled to get on the ground without much delay. It promises to be a complicated affair. If Follansbee is running straight, all well and good. On the other hand, he may be planning to victimize one or the other of the partners, or both.” Chick nodded. “He’s quite capable of doing them both,” he agreed. “There’s no doubt about that,” Carter went on. “I hope I’m wrong, but I have come to look upon him as a bird of ill omen. Whenever his vulturelike face appears, I’m inclined to take it as a sign of impending trouble. If I misjudge him, I’m sorry, but I don’t intend to be caught napping this time if I can help it.” “And you’re really going to stay at the Windermere for the present, chief?” “Yes, that’s the least I can do. If Stone has joined forces with Follansbee, Crawford will have little chance against them. It would not be so bad if Crawford would only realize his danger, and would consent to take proper precautions. As you know, though, he has already experienced no less than three attacks on the part of his old partner, and yet he still sticks by him. I can’t help admiring the man for his loyalty, but it’s very quixotic, and I feel that I’ll have to guard him from himself.” “Are you going to tell Crawford that you’re coming to the hotel to live?” Nick shook his head decidedly. “By no means,” he returned. “Crawford is much too simple-minded a man for that, and is more than likely to give me away. I shall disguise myself to-night before I go there, and you’ll have to hold the fort here while I’m away. Of course, you can communicate with me whenever you have to.” Chick’s face changed its expression. “But you’ll give me a chance to take a hand in this affair as soon as the time is ripe, won’t you, chief?” he pleaded. “I didn’t come out with flying colors from our previous bout with Follansbee, and I’d like to get another crack at him.” The chief was at the door of the study now, and he turned and nodded to his assistant, a slight smile playing about his lips. “All right!” he answered. “You’ll have a chance, I promise you, if the case shapes up as I anticipate.”