And, turning around as though about to depart, he said: “Good-day to you!” Gorse, as he had expected, called to him to stop. “Hold on a minute!” Facing him, the detective said: “Did you call me?” “Yes.” “What do you want?” “I was going to say something.” “What?” “That, if your business is very important, Gorse might be found.” “I told you before that it was important.” “Who are you?” “A friend.” “Well, I am Gorse.” “Are, eh? Well, that is just what I thought.” “Now, then, what is your business?” Nick Carter rejoined: “It would be as well if we could have it a little private, instead of out here where we are likely to be interrupted by somebody coming in for a drink.” “Good enough! I will call my bartender.” This individual put in his appearance, after which Gorse said: “Step into the back room.” This was just what Nick wanted. He desired to get into the room where the “loot” was examined and purchased, in the hopes that if what he was after had been purchased it would not yet have been removed from sight. In this he was disappointed. If Gorse had bought the stolen silver it had been taken to some other and less public place, as indeed was dictated by prudence to be the only proper course. When they were both seated, Gorse said: “Now, then, friend, I am ready to listen to what you have to tell me.” The detective coughed and replied: “There are conditions.” “Conditions!” “Yes.” “I don’t take!” “Don’t? That’s funny! I spoke plainly enough. There are certain conditions under which alone I can tell you a particular thing that may be of great consequence to you.” “What are these conditions?” “That you will truthfully answer me certain questions.” Gorse’s teeth shut together with a snap, and he said: “I don’t like the looks of this!” “Why not?” “If you have anything to tell me there can be no need of asking me any questions.” “In that I know better than you do.” “Do you?” “Yes.” “Let me tell you one thing!” “Go ahead.” “I will not answer a single question until I know who you are.” “As you please about that.” The detective’s coolness had the effect aimed at, which was to make the villain more desirous of hearing the communication the other had come to make. In addition to this, his curiosity was excited. Biting his lip, the villain said: “I mean it!” “Do you?” “Yes.” “Then I’ve got nothing to tell you.” After a silence of several minutes’ duration, Gorse asked: “Did you come here of your own accord?” “No.” “Ah! Who sent you?” “That question I cannot answer until I know something of you?” “In other words, I must answer your questions before you will answer mine?” “That is it exactly.” “You can at least tell me the circumstances under which you came here?” “Yes, I suppose so.” “What are they?” “They are simply these: A man who is a good friend of yours asked me if I would come and see you, and I said I would.” “He wanted you to tell me something?” “Yes.” “But, under conditions?”