Waiting a brief instant to see whether he had attracted attention, and becoming satisfied that he had not, he swung the door back to see that the stairway was covered with a cheap carpet. Cautiously ascending the steps he found himself on a landing which was below a door closed and, as he quickly found, locked. A trial of it satisfied him that it was not bolted, and as the lock was of the ordinary kind he had no difficulty in picking it. In this it differed from the one at the foot of the stairs, which had no keyhole on the outside. Cautiously opening this door, he found that he was in a small-sized entry--so small, indeed, that it was almost impossible to stand within it, and shut the door again. On his right was another door, which was doubtless always opened before the outer door was closed. But by dint of squeezing himself into the corner Nick succeeded in closing the door and with his pick relocking it. Then he cautiously opened the door before him to find that it was a bedroom, and vacant. Stepping within it lightly, he listened and heard voices in the room in front. There were two doors in this room, one clearly communicating with the front room, and the other, Nick thought, might open into a closet. But, on trying it, he found it opened into the hall of the second story, and saw Chick standing at the head of the stairs waiting to give the signal which should announce his presence there. Nick beckoned to Chick, who came stealthily to the door. “They are in that front room on this floor, chief,” said Chick. “There is nobody upstairs, for I have been through that floor. I have barricaded the top of the stairs so they cannot escape that way.” “All right,” said Nick. “Now take your stand at that door leading from the bedroom. I will leave this door open and when you hear me mew like a cat, burst into the room.” Chick went to his position and Nick to his. Nick was about to give the signal, when he heard the voice of Lannigan saying: “I suppose I’ve got to take it this way.” “I don’t see how else it is to be done,” said Elwell. “The paper is drawn in such a way as to show that the fifty thousand dollars due you is for value received. You must rely upon me to get the proper acknowledgment of this when you bring the paper to me to-morrow. I will do that and have it properly indorsed by responsible people, who will give a bond for the faithful execution of the requirements of this paper by Seaman. It is the best I can do. We have had business before together and you have found me a man of my word. That ought to stand for something now.” “I s’pose it must go,” returned Lannigan, in a doubtful and dissatisfied tone. “I suppose I must take my chance that you’re acting on the level.” “I’m on the level,” said Seaman. “You wouldn’t want me to bring my bondsman here, would you?”