“But couldn’t you convince him that the money would be forthcoming?” snapped Chadwick impatiently. “You should have made it plain that he will finally get it.” “I tried to, so I did, Sir Edud, but it’s as ’ow the covey don’t feel that way,” Gammon replied, a bit dubiously. “You see, Sir Edud, ’e wants to be dead sure of ’is afore taking the risk of a chair what isn’t over-inviting. I could not tell ’im just who you are and all the facts, the which would be werry convincing. You ordered me not to do that, Sir Edud, and I allas act on the square. So the covey is ’olding off till sure----” “Wait!” Sir Edward exclaimed harshly. “Where is this man? I must see him. I must talk with him myself. I can convince him that the money will be forthcoming. Send the man here to see me.” Baldy Gammon stared thoughtfully at the carpet for a moment. “I ain’t a bit sure as ’ow ’e’d come, Sir Edud, unless ’e comes in disguise,” he then replied. “I don’t care how he comes, so be it he comes quickly,” snapped the other. “That could be inside of an hour, Sir Edud.” “I will wait here for him.” “’E has a silvery-gray wig and a flowing beard, the which I’ve seen ’im wear at times,” observed Gammon. “I’m thinking as ’ow ’e would come in them.” “Let him wear them, then.” “And I will ’ave him use the same signal knock as I used.” “Once, then twice.” “Yes, Sir Edud.” “Very good. I will remember.” “To make dead sure,” added Gammon, “I will ’ave ’im mention ’is name as Mr. Pimlico. That’s no common name, Sir Edud, and you’ll be sure it’s ’im.” “I understand you, Gammon,” Sir Edward said, with a growl. “Send the man here to-night. Tell him I insist upon seeing him.” Baldy Gammon arose with a bow and gesture of assent, then hurriedly departed. Nick Carter whispered a few words to Chick, then stole noiselessly out of the suite in which they had been listening. It was half past eight when Baldy Gammon departed, leaving Sir Edward Chadwick to await the arrival of the said Mr. Pimlico. Chick Carter made no move to prevent the departure of this London crook, nor to follow him. He remained seated in the darkness of the opposite suite, with the door still ajar and his gaze fixed upon that directly across the corridor. Nine o’clock came and with it came Mr. Pimlico. There could be no mistaking the man Baldy Gammon had described, with his silvery-gray hair and flowing beard, giving him the appearance of a man of seventy. Chick heard him coming and saw Chadwick open the door in response to the signal knock. He surveyed the man a bit sharply, saying tersely: “Well, sir?” “My name is Pimlico,” said the other. “Ah! Come in.” The door closed behind the couple and Chick Carter seized the dictograph receiver. Sir Edward Chadwick took a chair near the table, his visitor one directly opposite, saying, while he sat down: “Gammon brought me word that you wish to see me.” “I do,” Sir Edward said curtly. “What need is there?” Mr. Pimlico demanded. “Much need.”