He went to the telegraph office, but was disappointed to learn that the boy who had the book he needed to see had been sent to a distant part of the city, and could not be back before six o’clock at the earliest. Then Kerr was in doubt as to what he ought to do. “It would make me look like thirty cents,” he reflected, “if I should arrest Hank Low and bring him to the city, only to find that the boy’s book showed that he couldn’t have done the thing. “Suppose, for example, the book shows that the clerk signed it at twenty minutes to four. “By that time Judson had been dead at least five minutes, and, of course, Low couldn’t be guilty. “I think I’ll wait for the boy to get back. Carter may be here by that time, and I’d rather take his judgment.” And Kerr left it that way. He went down to the railroad station at a quarter to six with Folsom, hoping to meet the great detective on the train due to arrive from Pueblo at that hour. CHAPTER III. A SUSPECT AND AN ALIBI. They were not disappointed, for Nick Carter was on the train, and Patsy was with him. They had recently been engaged in a case that took them to the western part of British America. When that was finished Nick had taken in Colorado on the way home, for the purpose of examining some mining property that belonged to a friend, who had asked him to do so. It was while he was on this business that he had run across Folsom. Having finished his examination of the mines, and having no other business pressing at the moment when he received Folsom’s telegram, he had gone at once to a train and started for Denver. He greeted Folsom warmly when they met on the platform, and then he was introduced to Kerr. “I’m glad to see you, Mr. Kerr,” said Nick. “I suppose there’s no mystery about this case?” “Well, I don’t know,” replied Kerr; “I think not, but you may have a different opinion.” “I thought it was all settled.” “Settled, Mr. Carter? What do you mean?” Nick smiled, and glanced at Folsom. “Usually,” he said, “my friends do not have a brass band to meet me when I begin to work.” Folsom started, and looked uncomfortable. It was not until that minute that he remembered Nick Carter’s great objection to working on a case when it was known that he was at work. “I beg your pardon, Nick,” said Folsom hastily; “I’ve been excited this afternoon, or I would have sent for you secretly, but there’s no brass band about it. Mr. Kerr is the only one who knows that you are here.” “It’s all right, Folsom; don’t worry,” responded Nick, “but I’ll bet the cigars that more than Mr. Kerr know.” “You’d win,” said Kerr. “Mr. Folsom spoke of sending for you in the presence of fifty men.” “That’s so!” exclaimed Folsom, looking very awkward. Nick laughed. “Let it go,” he said good-humoredly. “I don’t need to bother with the case if I don’t want to. I presume Mr. Kerr has the hang of it, anyway. So, unless there is real trouble, Patsy and I can take the night train for the East.”