"That he still is down and out, and that he has taken this method to force you into paying a big ransom for your wife’s safe return. Note that I say safe return," Nick added. "Under no other condition could he reasonably hope to coerce you. That is why I assert, Mantell, that your wife is in no immediate personal peril." "Do you really think so?" "I feel absolutely sure of it," said Nick. "Many facts confirm my opinion of this case. Goulard is a cur who finds delight in threatening those upon whom he has designs. That appeared in the previous case, in the nerve and audacity with which he held me up, and in what has occurred here during the past month. Aside from getting back at me, however, whom he really would like to kill, Goulard is out only for money. You can bank safely on that, Mantell, and that your wife will not be harmed as long as the rascal sees any prospect of bleeding you out of a large sum." "I hope you are right," Mantell declared, with a look of relief. "I will pay----” "Nothing!" Nick cut in quickly. "You will leave this matter entirely to me. I’m going to get that rascal and rescue your wife, Mantell, within forty-eight hours." "Do you really mean it?" Mantell’s face lighted wondrously. "Wait and see." "But----” "There is no alternative," Nick forcibly insisted. "You must keep perfectly quiet and leave me to do the work." "I could not do better, Carter, of course." "Goulard is the only man who thus could have impersonated your father," Nick added. "He is about the same build and is thoroughly familiar with his voice, bearing, and habits." "That’s true. They were in business together for years." "Your father, moreover, with his gray hair, his beard, and his gold-bowed spectacles, presents a type easily impersonated. Goulard knew this, and has contrived to pick up other points bearing upon the business engagements of you and your father this morning, enabling him to turn this scurvy trick. That’s all there is to it--except to track the rascal and round him up with his confederates." "Does that look easy to you?" Mantell inquired, with the ghost of a smile on his pale face. "That’s neither here nor there," Nick replied. "I never view a task from that standpoint. I go at it for all I am worth, and the greater the difficulties, the more credit in overcoming them." "That’s true, too," Mantell quickly admitted. "But I shall not accomplish it by sitting here and discussing the matter," Nick added, with some dryness. "I must get a move on and begin to get in my work." "What are your plans?" questioned Mantell anxiously. "Don’t ask me. I haven’t laid any." "But let me help you, Nick. Is there nothing I can do?" "Yes, one thing," said the detective, rising abruptly. "Take me downtown in your limousine and drop me about a block from my residence." "Why not at your door?"