“I don’t know--I don’t know!” moaned the woman. “I know only that I fainted or lost consciousness. That is all I remember till now. I cannot tell who or why I----” “One moment,” said Nolan. “Were the men smooth shaved, or----” “No, no! Both wore beards.” “They were in disguise.” “I cannot tell. I know only that I am in despair. I know----” “Try to be calm,” Nolan again interrupted. “Wait till you regain your strength. You then will be able to leave here, and----” “Leave here?” Lady Waldmere looked at him with a sudden wild hope leaping up in her tear-filled eyes. “That’s what I said,” Nolan nodded. “Do you mean--do you mean that you are not in the employ of my abductors?” Lady Waldmere asked, in faltering, frantic whispers. “Do you mean----” “Oh, I’m in their employ, all right,” Nolan dryly put in. “Alas, then----” “But not as you infer,” Nolan added. “Tell me what you do mean, then,” entreated the woman, white and trembling. “Don’t keep me in suspense. Am I to remain here and----” “Not by a long chalk!” “You will take me away? You will restore me to my husband?” Lady Waldmere’s voice took on a hopeful ring. “Oh, I will pay you any sum if you will do so. Tell me----” “Do you feel able to leave here?” “Able--yes!” “At once?” “Heavens, man, yes!” Lady Waldmere started up from the bed. “But don’t deceive me! I beg that you’ll not deceive me. Will you take me away from here? Will you restore me to my husband? Will you----” “You bet I will, madam!” cried Nolan. “That’s what I’m here for.” “But if in the employ of those men----” “Oh, that’s another story,” Nolan again interrupted, assisting the woman to rise. “I am also in the employ of your husband.” “My husband!” “I am a detective. My name is Chick Carter.” The last was instantly taken up by a fierce, threatening voice in the adjoining hall. “Throw up your hands, then, and keep them up! Let the woman alone--or you’ll be a dead one!” Chick swung round like a flash. In the open doorway stood Morris Garland, with face as black as midnight and as threatening as his leveled weapon. Behind him loomed the burly figure of a red-featured cabman, with blood in his eye and a blackjack in his hand. Two other figures, those of women, were crouching against the wall farther down the hall--out of view of the startled detective. CHAPTER VII. NICK CARTER’S DOINGS. It now is obvious, of course, that Chick Carter lied to Mr. Morris Garland--which was entirely warranted by the circumstances, since knavery can be successfully met only with its own weapons. Nick Carter had turned only the nearest corner after leaving the quarters of the loan company, when he was overtaken by Chick, who, in reality, had been there only to note what followed Nick’s visit with Waldmere, and to watch any move that either Garland or Hart might afterward make. It so happened, however, owing to an unexpected opportunity afforded Chick, that their own respective designs were reversed.