Nick was getting deeper into the mire. The landlady certainly could have no interest in deceiving him, and if she told the truth, then this Helen Doane could not be the Helen Lorton who had so frequently been seen with Demas Lorton! “But, perhaps this being seen with him so frequently had occurred prior to the time of her coming here to live,” he thought. That would soon be ascertained. He was about to rise to take his leave when the landlady said: “I--I--beg pardon, but has--has--Miss Doane met with any good fortune?” Turning a piercing look on her, Nick Carter asked: “Why do you make that inquiry?” “Oh! I’ve always had the idea that she was a lady born and quite out of her place in working in a store, and so I was not surprised when a genuine lady came this morning and inquired about her.” “A lady here this morning, you say, asking for Miss Doane?” “Yes.” “What did she look like?” To this question the woman rejoined: “Did you ever see Miss Doane?” “Yes.” “Well, the lady who called is as much like her, only older, as though they were mother and daughter.” Nick gave a start of surprise. What did this mean? To himself, Nick Carter said: “I wonder if these complications will ever cease. Now, then, who can this other woman be?” Aloud, he asked: “What did you tell this lady?” “I told her that Miss Doane was out.” “What did she say?” “She asked when she would be in.” “What reply did you make?” “I told her that Miss Doane had this morning gone somewhere else instead of to the store where she was employed, and that in consequence I could not say when she would be back.” “Well?” “She seemed thoughtful for a minute, and then left.” “Did she say anything about calling again?” “Yes.” “What was it?” “She said to ask Miss Doane to remain home to-morrow and that she would be here at noon to see her.” “You said this lady was here this morning?” “Yes.” “What time was it?” “I said this morning, but I suppose it was really in the afternoon, for lunch had been cleared away.” “Was it two o’clock?” “Just about.” Thanking the woman for the information given him, and telling himself that he would be on hand to-morrow to meet this woman who had called on Miss Doane, he took his leave. He went direct to the other place of residence, the address of which the girl had furnished him, but here as in the place he had just left he heard nothing but the best of character given Miss Doane. She had never gone out in the evening, was very circumspect and ladylike in all her actions, and had never received half a dozen visits from gentlemen during her stay there, and these had always been in the parlor and in the presence of other boarders.