“Well, you got it just the same, an’ you’ll get somethin’ else, too, if you don’t cash up.” “You won’t get no ten dollars from me.” The bully struck viciously at the detective, who dodged away from him in a clumsy sort of way. Nick was perfectly aware that the man meant business, and had no idea of coming to close quarters with him. He well knew that a clinch of any kind would be likely to disarrange his disguise and thus expose his true identity. With an oath the bully advanced again and struck a savage blow at the detective’s face. Nick simply dodged his head this time, and striking before the other could resume his guard, laid his opponent senseless on the floor. CHAPTER II. A LITTLE CIRCUS. The knockdown created very little excitement in the room. Reports from the races were coming in every few minutes, and nearly every one there had more or less money at stake. A few collected about the fallen man, however, and Nick had no difficulty in slipping quietly out of the way. He had no idea, however, of leaving the place. His bet had started a little ripple of talk regarding Denver Bay, and he knew that by remaining he might hear something to his advantage. At the end of the basement farthest from the street were a number of stalls used by sporting men and others for private consultation. As the crowd was now congregated around the main desk in front many of these stalls were empty. Nick stepped noiselessly into one of them, and closed the door. A moment later any one glancing into the stall would have seen a half intoxicated countryman sitting with his chair tipped back against the wall, his hat pulled down over an inflamed face, and his feet resting upon the table. Not a single trace of the well-to-do cattle drover remained. “I may have to stay here a long time,” he thought, “and may as well have some cigars. Besides a whisky glass properly placed on the table can do no harm.” The order was given and promptly filled. The waiter by no means suspected that his seemingly inebriated customer was the person in quest of whom the now infuriated bully was roaring about. Before leaving home Nick had left a note addressed to Chick, instructing him to call at the place toward which he was directing his steps, and he now awaited with some impatience the arrival of his assistant. The afternoon passed slowly away. The races were over, and the stalls were filling up. In some of them people were dividing and spending the money won during the day, while in others angry losers were laying plans by which they might account for their sudden lack of funds. After a time two men, evidently none too sober, entered the stall next to the one occupied by the detective, and ordered more drinks. “It’s a bloomin’ shame for a feller ter drop his wad like that,” said one, in a maudlin tone, “specially when he’s on de inside an’ oughter know. But you lost more’n I did, an’ I sympathize with you.”