“No. I removed it before arriving at the subway station, and thrust it into my pocket.” “Did you meet any one with whom you are acquainted?” “I don’t think so. I noticed no one. I hurried home and went directly to bed. Really, Nick, that is all I can tell you.” “That will answer, then,” said the detective. “Are these the articles brought from your residence?” “Yes.” Nick had arisen abruptly and turned to a table near one of the walls. Lying on it were the disjointed sections of a burglar’s jimmy, one of which was stained with blood; also Gordon’s evening suit, his overcoat, and the disguise worn the previous night. Nick examined all of them carefully, noting the spots of blood on the black suit, consisting of several scattered drops on the left sleeve and left pants leg, as if bespattered from a gushing wound. There was only a single spot on the overcoat, however, and that was near the bloodstained pocket. “It’s a mystery to me, Nick, a damnable mystery,” said Gordon, after waiting for the detective to express an opinion. “This is likely to ruin my chances of election, to say nothing of----” “Say nothing is what you must do,” Nick interrupted. “I will try to ferret out the truth, Gordon, before the publication of the superficial facts can do you any harm.” “A thousand thanks, Nick,” said Gordon gratefully. “I knew I could depend on you.” “We will confide in the commissioner, however, and I think I can prevail on him to liberate you and state that your arrest was due to a mistake.” “Really? I would be doubly grateful for that.” “The commissioner knows you as well as I do, Gordon, and he will realize that your defeat in the near election may result from holding you under arrest. That must be prevented, if possible.” “I will return home, Nick, and remain there subject to his orders,” said Gordon, eager to bring it about. “Or he can have an officer go there to watch me.” “I think I can make him see, Gordon, that you are most likely the victim of a plot, rather than guilty of this crime,” Nick replied. “All this will necessitate my breaking a record to find absolute evidence in proof of it, however, and I shall leave you immediately after talking with him. You keep your mouth closed after that, and be patient till you hear from me.” “I will do both, Nick,” Gordon assured him. “I’ll be off, then, after a talk with the commissioner. Come with me. I also want him to hold these articles subject to my order. I think I may find a use for them.” CHAPTER IV. NICK’S CAPITAL WORK. Nick Carter easily won the commissioner to his own views, and he then returned at top speed to the Columbus Avenue flat. None could have realized more keenly that time was of value, that the political fate of his friend and client, to say nothing of his life, even, depended upon what he could quickly accomplish.