“One moment,” Nick interrupted, returning to the room while only partly dressed. “I don’t quite agree with you, Chick. Read the story again, Patsy. I heard only parts of it while dressing.” Patsy hastened to comply, reading the article from beginning to end. Nick stood listening while knotting his necktie. His strong, clean-cut face became more grave. His eyes took on a more intent expression. “There may be more fire, Chick, than is supposed,” said he, taking the newspaper from Patsy and glancing himself at the article. “I think there really is, in fact.” “Why so?” questioned Chick, a bit surprised. “For what reason?” “Several,” said Nick. “One because I have met Captain Casper Dillon and happen to know something about him. He is not the type of man I fancy.” “What about him, Nick?” “He is not in active service, from which he retired several years ago because of a slow illness, from which his physician said he could not recover. He came out of it all right, nevertheless, and he since has occasionally been given minor foreign missions for the government, as he spends about half of his time abroad. He became quite conspicuous in the diplomatic broil we had with the Russian government three years ago, certain features of which I was called upon to investigate, resulting in an amicable adjustment of the whole business.” “I remember,” Chick nodded. “It was then that I met Captain Dillon,” Nick added. “I suspected him of having been a bit off color in that affair, but I could not find sufficient evidence to warrant making charges against him. I venture to say, nevertheless, though probably no one would believe me, that he has been the indirect cause of more international correspondence by the state department than any other man in Washington. I confidently advised the secretary of state at that time to look out for him.” “A soldier of fortune, eh?” Chick remarked. “I don’t know about that,” said Nick. “I do believe, however, that Captain Casper Dillon would not hesitate to increase his fortune by any crafty or even treasonable means that could be safely employed. That’s what I think of Captain Dillon.” “He may have incurred the enmity, then, of the ruffians who assaulted him,” said Chick. “Why do you attach special significance to the incident? I see nothing extraordinary in it.” CHAPTER IV. NICK CARTER’S DEDUCTIONS. Nick Carter glanced again at the newspaper story. No man could have read more keenly between the lines. No logician could have deduced more significant points from its apparently trustworthy statements. “You may not see anything in it, Chick, but I do,” he replied, after a moment. “Some one, either Dillon or Carney, though very probably both of them, has been lying. These statements won’t stand washing.” “That’s the stuff, chief,” said Patsy. “Put them through the wringer and squeeze out the dyestuff. What do you make of it?”