“Then rest assured that you will be free of him, if you will do this as I want you to do. I pledge you my word that afterward you will not be troubled by Lannigan.” This being arranged, Nick asked Mrs. Ladew to hurry back to the city, as he had much to do in preparing for the night’s work. Half an hour later he left the coach with the understanding that she was to communicate with him the hour at which she was to meet Lannigan for the purpose he had asked her. As he stepped from the coach he saw Patsy, who had faithfully followed him as Nick had directed. He went to him, saying: “Hot work to-night, Patsy, but we will end it before midnight.” CHAPTER XXVI. CONCLUSION. When Patsy had met Nick at the department store, he had no opportunity to tell him of the experience of himself and Chick that day in Philadelphia. He did so now, however. Nick listened intently, and at the conclusion said: “Good. You and Chick have found out the very thing to make my story complete. We could get along without Mrs. Ladew.” Patsy was surprised at this remark, for he did not know then what had passed between Mrs. Ladew and his chief. “I guess this is where I need some information,” he said. “Well, then, Patsy, I’ll make you as wise as myself,” said Nick Carter. He then told Patsy in brief the story he had learned from Mrs. Ladew. At its conclusion Patsy exclaimed: “I see it all! The thing that is coming in a covered carriage to that place at ten to-night is his nibs, the Englishman.” “That’s what it is,” said Nick. “And they’re going to stow him in that back building. That’s the game.” “I think you’re right.” “Well, it’s a nasty place. It’s a nasty place to bring a woman, and it won’t be an easy thing to get that fellow out of it.” “Easy or not,” said Nick, calmly, “we have got to go through it. I guess we’ve been in worse places and come out whole.” After a moment he said: “I wonder where we can pick up Chick.” “Don’t know,” said Patsy. “The last I saw of him he was trailing Lannigan, holding fast to the man he had in tow.” “He’ll turn up in time,” said Nick. “Chick is always on hand at the right time. But come with me now, Patsy. I must see Ida.” “Is Ida here?” “Yes; she came over with me, for I did not know but that she would have to do the work of Mrs. Ladew. As it is, she must go to her.” They hurried to the hotel where Nick had left Ida, and there, having written a note to Mrs. Ladew, Nick gave it to Ida and told her that she must accompany Mrs. Ladew when she was called by Lannigan. This Ida did at once, and saw Mrs. Ladew without difficulty. It was well for Nick’s plans that he did send Ida to the lady, for, on arriving, Ida found Mrs. Ladew almost in a state of collapse, as a reaction from the excitement of the day, and disposed, if not determined, to go no further the matter, refusing to have anything further to do with Lannigan, on the ground that Nick Carter was on their trail.