“What is the Grayling?” Nick inquired. “A hotel?” “No. It is a private boarding house in Vermont Avenue, not far from the Thomas Circle.” “It’s a first-class house, Carter,” put in Chief Welden. “I have no family,” Garland added. “I’m quite alone in the world and likely to remain so--unless Verona Warren accepts me for her husband. It was my intention to lock the portfolio in a safe which I have in my room. I frequently have taken plans home for night study, Mr. Carter, so I thought nothing of doing so on this occasion. It was too late to put them in the vault in the department building.” “How soon after entering your room did you open the portfolio?” Nick asked. “Immediately,” said Garland. “I had in my overcoat pocket a memorandum relating to the plans, and I was about to put it in the portfolio before removing my coat.” “The substitution could not possibly have been made, then, after you entered your room?” Nick questioned. “No, sir. There was no other person in the room.” “How long have you had the portfolio, Mr. Garland?” “About a month. I bought it expressly to carry the plans in when I had occasion to take them from my office.” “Where did you buy it?” “In Raymond’s leather store in Pennsylvania Avenue.” “Were you alone at that time?” “I was.” “Did you see others like it in the store?” “Yes. There were several of the same kind.” “Now, Mr. Garland, about the plans,” said Nick. “Are they so marked that the thief, or thieves, can definitely determine what they are and to precisely what part of the government work they relate?” “No, not immediately,” said Garland. “They are marked in cipher. It would take an expert, even, some little time to thoroughly understand them and to what they refer. In that, Mr. Carter, lies our only hope. If the plans could be recovered before the rascals learn just what they are----” “They know what they are, Garland, or they would not have framed up so crafty a job to get them,” Nick interrupted. “We may be able, nevertheless, to recover them before they can be deciphered and definitely understood. In that, as you have said, lies our only hope. I will lose no time in getting in my work.” “What are your plans, Nick?” Chief Welden inquired. “If I can aid you in any way----” “I will let you know, Welden, in that case,” Nick interposed, rising to go. “I have no plans at present, nor do I know just how I shall proceed. I must consider the circumstances thoroughly. I will note your home address, Mr. Garland, in case I want to reach you out of business hours. That is all I require of you at present.” CHAPTER III. A CURIOUS CLEW. It was nearly four o’clock when Nick Carter left the Treasury Building, and he at once turned his steps toward the hotel to which he had directed the two men who had emerged with him from the Union Station.