He had heard it said that Nick Carter had a great objection to working on a case when it was known that he was at work. “I beg your pardon,” said Folsom, hastily; “I’ve been excited this afternoon, or I would have sent for you secretly, but there’s no brass band about it. Mr. Kerr is the only one who knows that you are here.” “It’s all right, Folsom; don’t worry,” responded Nick, “but I’ll bet the cigars that more than Mr. Kerr know.” “You’d win,” said Kerr. “Mr. Folsom spoke of sending for you in the presence of fifty men.” “That’s so!” exclaimed Folsom, looking very awkward. Nick laughed. “Let it go,” he said, good-humoredly. “I don’t need to bother with the case if I don’t want to. I presume Mr. Kerr has the hang of it, anyway. So, unless there is real trouble, Patsy and I can take the night train for the East.” “I hope you won’t, Mr. Carter,” said Kerr, earnestly. “I do think that I can put my hand on the murderer, but I’d like very much to get your opinion if not your assistance.” “All right. There’ll be time enough for that while we get dinner somewhere. Can you take us to a quiet place?” “We were going to the hotel where the crime was committed. The Western Union manager is going to send a boy there with a piece of evidence we need just as soon as the boy gets back from a long errand.” “Very well,” said Nick; “we’ll go to the hotel, but we won’t go together, if you please. You and Folsom go back together, and if anybody asks you about Nick Carter, give them any kind of an evasive answer you choose, as long as you make them understand that I’m not in town. Then engage a private room for dinner——” “We have done that already, Mr. Carter.” “Good! What’s the number?” “Fourteen, second floor.” “Patsy and I will join you there in half an hour unless there’s some hurry.” “No,” said Kerr, a little doubtfully, “I don’t believe there’s any hurry, for we can’t act till we get the messenger boy’s evidence.” “So long, then.” Kerr and Folsom left Nick and Patsy inside the station, where they had met. “You don’t really hope to conceal the fact that you’re in Denver, do you, Nick?” asked Patsy. The great detective smiled. “When fifty men heard that I was sent for?” he returned, quietly; “not quite.” “Then, why do you make such a fuss about it? Why not go along to the hotel openly?” “Patsy,” said Nick, as he pretended to consult a pocket time-table, “if the guilty man was one of that fifty, don’t you think it likely that he would shadow Folsom and Kerr, and follow them to the station to see if I came?” “Yes! I hadn’t thought of that.” “And if he did so, of course, he’s seen me.” “Sure.” “And he wouldn’t follow the others out, but would wait to see what became of me.” “That’s it.” “Well, then——” “You needn’t say any more, Nick. I see now. I’ve spotted every man who had been in sight since we stepped off the train.” “About a dozen of them, eh?” “Fully that.”