“Devil is right!” Nick replied dryly. “Margate is a veritable genius for crime. He is a marvel of versatility and perverted ability. He is the one crook most feared in Europe to-day, where I supposed he was, instead of in this country. He seldom ventures over here.” “You appear to know him very well, nevertheless,” smiled Captain Hardy. “I have his photograph, several of them, and his criminal record,” Nick replied. “I knew him instantly, Hardy, though we never had met before. I hardly think he knew me, though I am not sure of it, for he is a type of man who would not betray it. He is said to have nerves of steel and the courage of a tiger. Have you seen him here before?” “No, never,” said Hardy. “Is he wanted by the European police?” “Quite likely, I think, but I have received no notice to that effect.” “Why didn’t you arrest him on suspicion?” “I have nothing on him, Hardy, nor any wish to get myself in wrong,” Nick evasively replied, not inclined to state his true reason for not having interfered with Margate. “Ask your sergeant what he wanted. One moment. Make no explanations. This must go no farther.” “I understand, Nick,” nodded Captain Hardy. “Trust me to be dumb. I’ll call Foley in here.” He turned to his desk and touched an electric bell. The summons was answered almost immediately, and the sergeant seen by Nick in the outer office entered the room. “You rang, chief?” said he respectfully. “Yes, sergeant,” Captain Hardy replied, turning toward him. “Who is the man who left here a few minutes ago?” “Well, I don’t know his name, chief,” said Foley. “He brought a note from Mr. Brigham, the lawyer who is looking after Carney’s case.” “What did the man want?” “He only wanted to deliver a message to the prisoner from the lawyer,” Foley explained. “The lawyer could not come himself, so he sent the man with a note.” “You allowed him to see Carney?” “I did, sir.” “Did you think you were taking no chances, Foley, in doing so?” Captain Hardy inquired. “Well, sir, I thought I made sure it was all right,” said Foley, coloring. “How so?” “I telephoned to Brigham’s office, sir, and asked him whether he had sent the man.” “What did Brigham say?” “He said that he had, sir, and that it was all right,” said Foley. “So I let him go in and take the message. I would have admitted the lawyer, sir, so I supposed it was all right to admit the man he had sent.” “Very good,” nodded Captain Hardy. “That’s all, Foley.” The sergeant touched his cap and withdrew. “Well, Nick, what do you say to it?” “Who is Lawyer Brigham?” Nick inquired. “What standing has he as a lawyer?” “Well, not the best,” smiled Hardy. “He is somewhat of a shyster, Nick, if the truth were told.” “It may be all right, then, or it may be all wrong,” said Nick. “What do you mean?”