On hands and knees under the counter, he placed one ear against the side of the booth--and he then could faintly hear the voice of the man within. The following broken remarks reached his ears, broken by the occasional responses from the person with whom Floyd was talking, whom the detective of course could not hear: “There is no question about it,” Floyd was forcibly saying. “I know positively that he is on the case.... Yes, yes, of course! But we can prevent that and bluff him to a standstill. He cannot prove that you know anything about her.... That’s true, but I’ve got the goods and will show up shortly. The best way, then, will be to phone directly to his office and state where she can be found. That probably would end the matter, and there will be no way of telling from whom the information came. He could only guess at that.... The sooner the better, of course. I have hastened to notify you only to put you on your guard in case he shows up there again before I arrive. Stave him off in some way until I come. It then will be soft walking. I’ll come at once. So long!” Nick heard the sharp click of the hook when the receiver was replaced. Floyd came from the booth almost immediately and left the store without so much as a glance at the clerk. Nick crept from under the counter and entered the booth. He paused briefly to size up what he had heard. He felt sure Floyd had telephoned either to Hart, or Garland, at their place of business. He turned to the telephone and rang up his own business office. “Line’s busy!” called the exchange operator. Nick waited. “Who is on it?” he asked himself. “Patsy must be there. I directed him not to leave. Chick may have called him up, as I suggested, but for what reason? Hang this delay! It may prove expensive.” Nick tried again and succeeded. He heard the familiar voice of Patsy Garvan over the wire. “This is the chief talking,” said Nick. “Oh, gee!” Patsy exclaimed. “I was just wondering how I could get next to you.” “What’s up?” Nick questioned, deferring his own communication. “Some one just phoned here that the woman we’re seeking can be found at No. 1680B Amsterdam Avenue. The speaker evidently was a man, but I did not know his voice, nor could I get anything more from him.” “I can guess who,” said Nick. “I was about to tell you that you would soon receive that information.” “What shall I do?” “Take Danny and a couple of plain-clothes men to aid you,” Nick quickly directed. “Raid the house quietly. I hardly think you will find any one else there. If you do, however, make sure that none escapes.” “Trust me for that.” “I’ll nail the culprits elsewhere.” “Good enough! I’ve got you.” “That’s all, then.” Nick came from the booth, said a few words of explanation to the astonished clerk, and he then hurriedly left the store and hailed a passing taxicab.