“There was none there when I went out,” observed Carter reflectively. “I guess you’re right. But wait a minute. I have something to look after outside. Go up to the study and wait for me.” As Chick got up to obey, Nick Carter hurried out of the house and to the place where he had left the crossed needles. He had put them close to the iron fence of a house, so that there was no danger of their being trodden on--even if anybody should happen to pass that way. “I don’t think there has been any one going by since I left them,” he muttered. “Anyhow, here are the needles.” He put them carefully between the leaves of his notebook, which he carried in his hand back to the house, and up to the study. When he got there, he laid the book on the table and opened it. “You see, Chick, the person who knocked you down belonged to the Yellow Tong. That is proved by the fact that he tried to kill you with the crossed needles.” “What?” cried Chick, turning pale. “Oh, it’s all right now, my boy!” laughed Nick Carter. “I wouldn’t have told you otherwise. The needles did not get to you. But that is no credit to the blackguard who knocked you down. They were sticking in your coat sleeve when I found you on the sidewalk. I satisfied myself that the points had not reached you, even before I picked you up. But I don’t understand what the object was in attacking you, unless----” He paused and walked several times up and down the room before he spoke again. “I have it,” he declared at last. “It is simple enough. Somebody saw you following Professor Tolo--somebody in his employ. To prevent your finding out where the professor was going--and perhaps in fear that you might hit on the professor’s real identity--this stranger knocked you down and tried to kill you with the needles.” “Then you believe Tolo is connected in some way with the Yellow Tong?” “I certainly do.” “If that is the case, it ought not to be hard to get at the secret of Mr. Anderton’s death.” Nick Carter smiled slightly and shook his head. “My dear Chick, don’t jump hastily to conclusions. What evidence have we got against Professor Tolo?” “Plenty, I should think. Wasn’t he snooping about in this room when we came back to it, after going downstairs to see a man who had disappeared when we got there? Then, doesn’t he hide his face with those big spectacles? And wasn’t I following him when I was sandbagged and struck at with the crossed needles?” “All that is suspicious, but not proof, Chick.” “Do we know where he lives?” “That is easily found out,” replied Carter. “But even then, we shall have to learn a great deal more before we can show that he is associated with the Yellow Tong.” “But you believe he is, don’t you?”