Nick Carter smiled at this story of romance, which he regarded as a lucky thing, if it would have the effect of keeping the maid from talking. But he made no comment. He only asked Chick how he had found out about the house next door. “Ruggins told me,” replied Chick. “Oh, yes. And he said something else. There is a tall Japanese professor, who used to visit there sometimes.” “How do you know he was Japanese?” interrupted Nick. “Ruggins. He said so. I told him Japanese men were not generally tall. He came back at me by saying this one was, so there was nothing more to be said. The professor’s name is Tolo. That’s all Ruggins could tell me--Professor Tolo.” There came a knock at the door at that moment, and Chick, at Nick Carter’s request, opened it. He confronted Ruggins, who had come up with a card in his hand. “Gentleman would like to speak to Mr. Carter,” he announced. Nick looked at the name on the card. Then he started, as he told Ruggins to send the gentleman up. “Chick,” he whispered, when the butler had gone. “Who do you think this is, wants to see me?” “I don’t know. Who?” asked Chick. “Professor Tolo,” was Nick Carter’s unexpected reply. CHAPTER IV. THE NEEDLES AGAIN. The man who came into the room, bowing low and smiling with the suave courtesy of the Oriental, was more than six feet in height, but not stout. He looked as if he might have a great deal of strength in his wiry frame, and his high forehead, which showed extensively under the narrow-brimmed felt hat he wore far back on his head, was that of an intellectual man. The color of his skin suggested that he might be a Japanese. This was confirmed by his wiry black hair. He appeared to have very sharp black eyes, but Nick Carter could not see them very well, because they were behind large, thick glasses, with heavy, tortoise-shell frames. “I must ask your pardon for intruding, Mr. Carter,” began Professor Tolo. “But Mr. Anderton was a warm friend of mine, and I have just heard that he is seriously ill.” “He is dead,” returned Nick simply. Professor Tolo threw up both hands with a gesture of horror and sorrow. As he did so, Nick Carter noted the powerful sinews of his arms, which could be seen up his sleeves, moving like snakes under the yellow skin. “Dead?” repeated Tolo. “Why, this is dreadful! How was it? Did you hear? Wasn’t it very sudden?” “Very,” returned Nick. “It was an affection of the heart.” “Heart failure! Well, I always thought my poor friend has something of the appearance of one who might be carried off in that way. Can I see him?” “I am afraid not, professor. The coroner has his remains in charge. When did you see Mr. Anderton last?” “About a week ago. We met at the home of a friend of both of us. I had never been in this house. You know, he only lately returned from China. He had gathered up there a mass of valuable information for this government, I understand.” “I don’t know anything about that,” said Nick shortly.