“Oh, he’s been at work on the books out there for about a year. He’s only an assistant clerk.” “Ah, I see.” “Why did you ask?” “For no reason.” “Nonsense! You must have had some reason, Nick.” “None of consequence,” smiled Nick. “I asked about him, in fact, only because I had to fairly drive him in here when I declined to send in a card or mention my name.” Chief Weston threw back his head and laughed. “That’s easily explained,” said he, still chuckling. “I growl at him roundly at regular intervals, Nick, for annoying me with visitors whom I neither know nor wish to see. I am getting him by degrees, however, so that he requires the whole pedigree of a caller before announcing him, which is about as bad a fault, I imagine. Sandy is all right, though, in his own peculiar way.” “Sandy, eh? That’s a nickname, I take it, because of his red hair?” “No, not exactly. His name is Sanderson Hyde.” “Ah, just so.” “I took him in to oblige a journalist friend,” added Weston, smiling. “It’s always well to stand ace-high with the press, you know.” “That’s right, too,” nodded Nick, now willing to digress. “You sent for me to come over here from New York, Weston. What do you want of me?” “You got my wire?” “Certainly.” “Did Chick come with you?” “No,” replied Nick, at this reference to his chief assistant. “I came over alone.” “Are you busy in New York just now?” “I’m always busy, Weston.” “Too busy to undertake a little work for me?” “Where?” “In and about Boston.” “What’s the nature of it?” “There is nothing in giving you all of the details, Nick, unless you are in a position to accept an offer and help me out,” Chief Weston gravely rejoined. “First of all, Nick, may I count on you?” The brows of the celebrated New York detective knit a little closer over his keen gray eyes. He drew up a bit in his chair, remarking gravely: “Your business is important, Weston, or you would not have sent for me.” “Very important.” “A serious matter?” “Decidedly.” “Have your own men tackled it?” “Yes, the very best of them.” “With no results?” “None but absolute failure.” “Are they now at work on the case?” “Some of them.” “And you wish me to take a hand in the work?” “I certainly do.” “If I consent to do so, Weston, I shall impose one condition,” said Nick decidedly. “I expect it.” “You do?” “Certainly,” nodded the chief. “Am I not familiar with your methods? You will require me to order all of my men off the case and give it entirely to you.” “That’s the condition,” said Nick bluntly. “I will accept it.” “And leave the matter to me alone?” “Precisely. In no way whatever shall you be interfered with.” “Very good.” “You will undertake the work for me?” “I will hear of what it consists,” replied Nick, with his curiosity stirred. “If it is all that your remarks imply—well, Weston, you may then count on me to give it an argument.” “Capital.” “Now, cut loose and give me the facts of the case.”