Garland’s dark face had, upon learning the name of Waldmere’s companion that morning, taken on a look of more serious concern. It vanished almost instantly, however, and his teeth met with a vicious snap, smacking defiance, which evidently impelled Nolan to venture offering his further assistance. Garland received the suggestion with a darker frown, however, and quickly shook his head. “There isn’t any game, my man,” he said, quite sternly. “You put that idea out of your head, and keep it out. You were not employed for this work because of any game, but because we had no one else whom we could send conveniently at that time.” “Beg pardon, boss,” Nolan quickly responded. “I’m wise, all right, now that you’ve put me next. It was the two coveys, Carter and the other gink, whom you think were playing some kind of a game.” “That’s just the size of it,” Garland hastened to assure him. “I’m wise, all right, boss, now that you’ve told me.” “Both men were strangers to me,” Garland added, in an explanatory way. “We suspected them of trickery and wanted to learn who they were, or more particularly the one you say is Nick Carter.” “You can bank on that, boss.” “It’s all right, then, no doubt, for Nick Carter would not have engaged in any crooked work,” Garland proceeded. “He must have had some other object in view. I shall probably be informed sooner or later. What do I owe you for your services?” “That’s up to you, boss,” said Nolan, apparently content to drop the matter and accept what was offered, as well as the explanation just made. “Will a ten-dollar note pay you?” questioned Garland, taking out a roll of money. “Sure thing, boss, and then some.” “Let it keep your mouth closed, also,” Garland added, stripping off a bank note from the roll. “I wouldn’t want Carter to think I have any reason to have suspected him.” “I’m dumb,” Nolan assured him, eagerly accepting the money. “You will say nothing about it, eh?” “On my word.” “Not even if----” “Forget it!” Nolan cut in pointedly. “Forget it, boss; I have.” “Very good,” Garland said approvingly. “See that you don’t recall it.” He turned away with the last, quickly crossing the street and entering his residence. From one of the windows, however, he proceeded to watch Nolan down the avenue, until the seedy, sinister fellow vanished around a distant corner. But Mr. Jerry Nolan was nothing if not crafty. He did not so much as glance back before turning the corner. Nor did he then pay further attention to Garland to see whether he left his house. As he was passing that at which the pawnbroker had paused to gaze, however, Nolan glanced furtively at the door. He saw there was no name plate on it. He saw the dust on the steps and the soiled windows on the second floor, and he came to a perfectly natural conclusion.