Two more villainous-appearing gentlemen in the yeggman line it would be hard to find. “You, Mackrell, get the old gent by the head,” said one of them, “and I’ll collar his feet.” “All right, Skip.” They carried the banker from the house and placed him in a grocery wagon that was in waiting, and drove rapidly off. This move was accomplished without discovery. Investigation into some cases of the disappearance of rich persons would establish the fact that they were kidnaped. The gentlemanly rascal did not accompany his friends. He could trust them; he had often done so before and found that they would not go back on the man who paid them well. The pair were members of the gang that Elmer had organized, and without taking active part in their crimes, he was their acknowledged leader. It seems strange that an organized gang of nearly two hundred ruffians could exist long in the great metropolis, but Elmer Greer’s did until they were--but that is anticipating. Returning to the apartment where he had left his wife, he said: “Louise, you must leave here.” “Why?” “It is probable that the banker’s friends knew he was coming here.” “What then?” she remarked; “they know he often calls here; there can be no suspicion cast on me.” “He spoke about Nick Carter,” said Greer. “Well?” “Perhaps he might have come with the old chap and is now waiting for him.” “Elmer, never until now did I believe you to be an idiot,” said the woman, “but your words force that conviction upon my mind. If Nick Carter were outside do you suppose they would ever be able to carry the old fellow out?” “I am a fool; I spoke thoughtlessly,” replied Greer. There was a sharp knock on the door which caused both the guilty pair to start. The man hid himself in his former place of concealment. “Come in,” said Louise, faintly. The door opened and a huge dog sprang into the room, followed by its master. The woman screamed. “Don’t be afraid, miss, it is only me and Crackers. We won’t hurt her, will we, Crackers, old boy?” Louise was not so much afraid of the evil-looking cur as she was of the monstrosity that accompanied it. The newcomer was not over four feet in height, although his body seemed to have been intended for a man at least two feet taller. He wore a pair of pants at least a dozen sizes too large and his coat hung about him in folds. His head was very large, and the heavy shock of red hair that covered it seemed to add to its size. “Don’t come near me,” cried Louise, as the creature approached the sofa. “I won’t harm you.” “Who are you?” exclaimed Elmer Greer, issuing from his hiding place. “Don’t you know me?” “No,” replied the villain. “Come, be quick, answer my question.” The fellow began to laugh and his laughter seemed more like the scream of a hyena than anything else. “I’m Tambourine Jack,” he said, at length, drawing a tambourine from under his coat and jingling it, at which the dog Crackers set up a dismal howl.