“Not the slightest, Mr. Carter,” said Oakley, with a look of surprise. “You surely do not suspect----” “Never mind what I suspect,” Nick interrupted, while descending to the basement. “Show me just where you placed the body.” Oakley led the way to a corner back of some coal bins and pointed to the floor. “We left it there, sir,” he said simply. “With a covering over it?” “Yes, sir; the sheet brought from Fink’s place.” “Nothing else?” “No, sir.” “Did you lock the door after going out with your companions?” “That was not necessary,” Oakley explained. “It has an automatic spring lock, like many of the doors in this building, which can be opened from within, though a key is required by one entering from outside. They were equipped with locks of that kind because students frequently are the last to leave the building, and it obviated providing keys for all.” “I see,” Nick remarked. “One can leave this basement without a key, then?” “Yes, sir; easily.” Nick took out his electric searchlight and began a close inspection of the cement floor. It was covered with a thin, almost imperceptible layer of dust, mingled with which were particles of coal dust, quite plainly visible with the aid of a powerful lens. “You have given it to me straight, Oakley, all right,” Nick remarked, after a moment, looking up. “My lens shows where the dust has been disturbed, and I can determine part of the outline of the body. There appears to have been considerable moving about, however, either by----” “Surely not by the body!” Oakley exclaimed, staring. “Don’t be so sure of that,” Nick said dryly. “Things aren’t always what they seem. We may find that--ah, I find it even sooner than I expected. Here is one--yes, a second and third. This tells the story.” “What is it?” cried Oakley impulsively. “Have a look, Chick,” said Nick. “Use my lens.” Chick hastened to comply, viewing one of several faint bits of evidence on the dusty floor. “What is it?” Oakley repeated, quivering with excitement. Chick looked up and replied: “It’s a faint print in the dust--the print of a naked foot.” CHAPTER V. WHERE THE TRAIL LED. “Subdue your surprise. This is no more than I was expecting to find,” said Nick Carter, glancing at Oakley’s amazed face. “I have picked up a trail which I felt sure I must seek, sooner or later, and to find where it leads now is of paramount importance.” “Gee! that’s right, chief, for fair,” said Patsy. “This man hunt now opens in earnest.” “I shall need you no longer, Oakley,” Nick added. “You had better join the other students at the lecture. I will do what I can to pull you fellows out of this scrape, but much will depend upon what already has been published, and upon my success in finding the missing man. No, no, don’t demur over going, nor stop to thank me. Time now is of double value. Go at once.”