The fresh complexion of youth seemed singularly out of place now, for age and experience—and evil—peered through the veneer. Had there ever been any doubt about Green-eye Gordon’s daring, there could be none any longer, for this was the criminal himself. In some manner best known to himself, he had managed to learn of Nick’s return, and had taken this extraordinary means of fooling the detective—an example of supreme audacity, in which he was manifestly taking the greatest delight. He expected to kill more than two birds with the one stone. “Oh, what a sell!” he thought. “How are the mighty fallen! You don’t happen to know, my dear Carter, that the real Chester Gillespie is still abroad, and that while you are waiting for your bird in that gloomy old mansion across from the park, your enterprising little friend Ernest will be tapping the various other sources of income as rapidly as he can.” Nevertheless, when the first flush of triumph had passed, there seemed to be an undercurrent of uneasiness in the scoundrel’s mood and manner. Doubtless, he knew that in boldness lay his only hope, but perhaps he allowed himself to fear for the time being, that even boldness would be insufficient in the long run against such an antagonist. Apparently, the great detective had been completely taken in by this latest astounding ruse, but very likely Gordon realized that he was in the lion’s mouth, and that there was no knowing when the jaws might close with a snap. Some time after Green Eye returned to Nick’s study, the door opened, and Chick entered. He did not look any too well satisfied with his work thus far. “I beg your pardon,” he said, halting at sight of the supposed Gillespie. “I didn’t know any one was here. Are you alone?” “Yes,” Gordon answered coolly. “Mr. Carter has gone out. I think he left word for you with the butler, but I might as well explain that he’s absent on an errand for me, and that I’m to remain in more or less close confinement here until he returns.” And in response to a look of surprise on Chick’s face, he explained a little further: “If you wish to call him up——” “No, not now,” Nick’s assistant interrupted quietly. “I have nothing to report as yet.” That was good news to Gordon, for he felt sure that Chick had been trying to pick up some clew to the whereabouts of the electric car, and if so, it was plain that he had failed to make any headway. “Well, I’ll leave you in possession here and go into the room Mr. Carter placed at my command,” Green Eye remarked easily, rising to his feet and helping himself to another of Nick’s cigars. “If there’s no objection, I shall appropriate some writing materials.” Chick supplied him with paper, envelopes, et cetera, and assured him that the study was his to use if he wished, but the visitor would not consent to “be in the way.” Three minutes later, he was in the bedroom, with the door closed.