The two officers had arrived with their prisoner several minutes before, bringing also the evidence mentioned by Phelan. Despite the persuasive arguments of the commissioner, however, for the two men were personal friends, Gordon had positively refused to make any statements about the case, or to discuss the threatening situation in which he was involved. He sprang up eagerly, nevertheless, when Nick entered, and a tinge of color appeared in his pale cheeks. He extended his hand, saying fervently: “Thank Heaven, Carter, that you have arrived. I was just about to request that I might telephone to you again. I seem to be in a deucedly bad mess. I can depend only upon you to pull me out of it.” “I will try to do so, Gordon, of course,” Nick replied, after a word of greeting for the others. “Have you told----” “I have told nothing,” Gordon interrupted. “Nor will I, Nick, except in a private interview with you. I then will state all that I know about this infernal business.” “Well, that can be arranged, I think,” Nick replied, turning to the commissioner. “Have you any objection?” “None whatever, Nick,” was the reply. “I know of no man I would rather have on the case. Go as far as you like.” The commissioner at once withdrew with Regan and Kennedy, and Nick took the chair the former vacated. “Now, Gordon, hand me straight goods and be quick about it,” he said forcibly. “I have been to Tilly Lancey’s flat and know what has been found there, also what Regan and Kennedy have discovered that appears to incriminate you. It goes without saying, however, that I don’t take much stock in it. I must have the whole truth from you, nevertheless, if I am to pull you out of the fire.” “Have you seen----” “Don’t delay to question me,” Nick interrupted insistently. “I shall see all there is to be seen. Merely answer my questions as briefly as possible. Did you call on Tilly Lancey last evening?” “Yes, I did,” Gordon admitted. “Did you mail her a letter stating that you would visit her at eleven o’clock?” “Yes.” “For what? What relations have you had with a woman of her stamp?” “That can be quickly told,” said Gordon. “I was stopped on Fifth Avenue three days ago by a fashionably dressed woman, closely veiled. She asked me to give her a few minutes’ conversation, stating that she had important information for me, something that would have a favorable bearing upon my election to congress.” “You consented?” “Yes.” “What followed?” “She then said that she had in her possession a package of letters written to her by my political opponent, John Madison, the nature of which, if made public, would ruin him politically and insure his defeat.” “H’m, I see.” “She said that she would allow me to read them, that I might judge for myself of the effect their publication would have, and to which she would consent on conditions that she would state after I had read the letters.” “What reply did you make?” Nick questioned.