Frank Mantell was right in that the caller was Gaston Goulard, and he was presently ushered in by the butler. He was an erect, somewhat imposing man close upon fifty. He was smooth shaved, of dark complexion, with strong features and penetrating black eyes. He had been a widower about four years, having no children, but still retaining his fine Fifth Avenue residence and a retinue of servants. He was a member of the best clubs, and a man of recognized ability, political influence, and social standing. Mr. Mantell received him graciously and introduced him to Chick and Patsy, while Goulard removed his kid gloves and shook hands with all. “You are here before me, Frank,” he remarked, after greeting the detectives. “I was unavoidably detained.” “I don’t think it matters,” Mantell replied. “I have told Mr. Carter all that you could have told him and all that he is really inclined to hear. He has consented to take the case and----” “Very good,” Goulard interrupted, in somewhat brusque and metallic tones. “I am glad to hear it. What do you intend doing, Mr. Carter? That is the main question.” Nick gazed at him quite intently. “I really don’t know,” he replied. “Don’t know?” “Not yet.” “You mean----” “Only what I say--that I don’t know,” Nick put in, smiling. “I must consider the matter. I must determine what best can be done. I must visit your store and size up the opportunities for such wholesale robbery, before I can say what I will do. You can hardly expect more of me at present, Mr. Goulard.” “Very true, perhaps,” Goulard admitted, with signs of reluctance. “We are up against such a costly game, however, and have found the efforts of other detectives so entirely useless, that I really wondered what steps you would take to discover the thieves.” “I wonder, too, since hearing Mr. Mantell’s statements,” Nick replied, smiling again. “It appears like a difficult problem, Mr. Goulard.” “It does, indeed, and you must keep me informed of your progress.” “I will make it a point to do that.” “That is all we can reasonably ask, then,” said Goulard, with an approving nod. “If we can aid you in any way, or----” “I will inform you, Mr. Goulard, in that case.” “Very good. When will you begin your work?” “Just as soon as I have decided how to begin it,” said Nick. “Like Davy Crockett, I make sure I am right before going ahead. I think you may expect me, or one of my assistants, at your store to-morrow morning.” “I would prefer that you give the matter your personal attention,” said Goulard suggestively. “I always do that, sir, when engaged in an investigation of even the simplest kind of a case,” Nick said, with seeming indifference. “Gee! if that gazabo gets anything out of the chief, he’ll do it with a double, back-action corkscrew,” thought Patsy, noting Nick’s suave reticence and not half liking the strong, dark face of this second visitor.