Chick turned away and went up with a hallboy to the room assigned him. “Buyer for Rudolph Meyer, eh?” he said to himself, with a feeling of grim satisfaction. “I’ll wager that all of the goods with which he supplies Rudolph Meyer come indirectly from the store of Mantell & Goulard. I’ll look into that in the morning, and then have a long-distance talk with Nick. His suspicions have hit the nail on the head, all right, and to-morrow should see something doing.” CHAPTER V. NICK FINDS A CLEW. Nick Carter did not receive the expected telephone communication from Chick the following morning. Bent upon learning why, and apprehending that something of a sensational nature had occurred the previous night, Nick called at the Lexington Avenue boarding house about half past eight and asked to see the landlady. Mrs. Hardy joined him in her parlor a few moments later, drying her hands and arms with her apron. “I have called to inquire about Mr. Lamont,” said Nick, after closing the door. “I understand----” “Dear me!” Mrs. Hardy interrupted, gazing. “That’s more than I can say. I’m very glad if any one understands and will explain Mr. Lamont’s conduct.” “Ah!” Nick replied, smiling. “I thought something had occurred. I probably can explain to your entire satisfaction. What about Mr. Lamont? What mystifies you?” “Well, sir, he engaged a room here last night and left his suit case, saying he would return in about an hour. He did not do so, nor have I heard from him. I have telephoned to a gentleman to whom he referred me, and who stated that he is entirely reliable.” “You probably refer to Mr. Calvin Page, his uncle.” “Yes, sir, I do. But I cannot account for Mr. Lamont’s disappearance. Do you know anything about him?” “I know all about him, madam,” said Nick. “Did any thing occur here last night that might have occasioned his absence?” “Well, no, sir; nothing occurred in the house.” “Outside, perhaps?” “I know only that one of my boarders, Helen Bailey, was assaulted by a man about eleven o’clock as she was approaching the door. A stranger ran across the avenue and drove the miscreant away, then pursued him around the corner. Neither of them returned. I don’t think the stranger was Mr. Lamont, however, for he don’t answer Miss Bailey’s description of her protector.” “Chick in another disguise,” thought Nick. “The game opened even more quickly than I expected.” Mrs. Hardy then was gazing at him quite suspiciously, and Nick decided to take her into his confidence. He briefly explained the situation and the probable circumstances, much to the woman’s relief and increasing interest in her visitor, whom she now regarded in an entirely different light. “Dear me!” she exclaimed. “I did not even dream, Mr. Carter, that you were the famous detective. I don’t think Miss Bailey even suspected that her protector was one of your assistants.” “Did she say anything more about the matter than you have stated?” Nick inquired.