“He’s got some nose, this dog,” Henley added, while he seized the scrawny animal and tossed him into the car. “Some nose, that’s what he’s got. Ginger can’t be beat.” “He looks bright and intelligent,” Nick allowed pleasantly. “Sit in front with the chauffeur, Henley, but put the articles Ginger found into the tonneau. That’s the stuff. I’ll examine them after we reach the Gordon place. Let her go, Danny.” The remaining distance was speedily covered, with merely cursory inquiries and remarks by the detective, well calculated to relieve Henley of any misgivings. Upon arriving at the house, however, he turned to Patsy and said: “Go in ahead and tell Mr. Strickland and Wilhelmina that they must go upstairs and remain until I send for them. I don’t want them butting in. You need not explain in just those words, however.” “I’m wise, chief,” said Patsy, springing from the car. “I’ll clear the field for you.” “Leave the car here, Danny, and take Henley and the dog around to the kitchen,” Nick then directed. “Have the cook give Ginger some meat. You’ll kindly wait there till I’m ready to talk with you, Henley, won’t you?” “Sure thing, Mr. Carter, if you say so,” Henley quickly consented. “Good enough!” “I’m right here to lend you a hand.” Nick detected in the fellow’s narrow eyes, nevertheless, that same sly and shifty gleam he at first had noticed, a look that seemed to give the lie to his apparently agreeable consent. Patsy returned a moment later to assist in taking the various articles into the house, stating that Wilhelmina and her uncle had complied with the detective’s request. It was nearly one o’clock when Chick Carter arrived in a taxicab, directing the chauffeur to wait, and Patsy appeared at the door to admit him. “Gee whiz!” he said quietly. “You’re just in time.” “Time for what?” Chick questioned. “To see the chief cut loose,” said Patsy. “Talk about having a long head. No four-footed beast has got anything on him, ears included.” “I’m well aware of that, Patsy, already.” “But this yanks the bun. Wait a bit and you’ll see. Come into the library.” Nick Carter then had been studying the evidence he had found for nearly half an hour, but he really had mentioned to Patsy only a few of his discoveries and deductions, being too absorbed in the work to discuss it. With a lens in his hand, and a frown on his intent, clean-cut face, he was bending over a table on which the various articles had been placed, and which gave Chick some little surprise when he saw them. “Great guns!” said he, approaching. “Are you starting a secondhand-clothing store.” “Not by a long chalk,” said Nick. “I’m starting a ball rolling that will probably crush a gang of crooks. Sit down. Have you been to Gordon’s office?” “Certainly.” “What have you learned? Close the door again, Patsy.” Chick then made his report in detail, adding confidently: