“Precisely.” “Who is this friend?” “One who has, I believe, warned you of danger before now.” “Ha!” The villain’s eyes glistened. “Perhaps”--speaking in a slow tone--“he is connected with the police force?” “It is possible.” For some reason Gorse now appeared to be inspired with a confidence that had been lacking a few minutes before. “What is it you were to ask me?” “I want to know something about the customers you had last night.” “What about them?” “Who were they?” “It would be necessary to show me that the danger was great before I would consent to give the boys away.” “I don’t want you to give them away.” “What do you want, then?” “I want to know simply who was here last night.” As Gorse did not seem likely to reply to the question, as thus put, Nick went at it in another way. He said: “I’ll put it to you in this shape: Did you take in any silverware last night?” Gorse gave the questioner a swift look of suspicion. “What are you driving at?” Calmly and in an offhand tone came the reply: “As I have told you, it is optional with yourself whether or not you answer my questions.” “Well, suppose that I admit having taken in some silverware?” “Then the next question is: Who brought it?” “That I won’t tell.” The detective coolly said: “In refusing to do which you make a grave mistake! Possibly you will tell me if it bears a certain mark?” “A mark, you say?” “Yes.” The detective followed this answer by giving a description of the mark on Mr. Field’s silver. Gorse promptly said: “I never saw such silver as that!” But, as Nick Carter was describing the mark, his face had worn a conscious look that did not escape the speaker’s keen eyes, and he said, mentally: “The rascal is lying! He has seen that very silver if, indeed, it is not now in this very house.” Aloud he said: “Very well, then, you’re safe.” “Safe?” “Yes.” “I say!” “What is it?” “You are talking to me in riddles.” “I can’t help that. The circumstances under which I have come are peculiar. The person who sent me dared not come himself, nor send the customary messenger, and it would not do for it to appear that you had received warning of a certain thing since this information is in the possession of so few that, in case of any leak, it would not be hard to locate it.” Gorse, it was plain to be seen, was not a little troubled by what had been said, although he said in a sneering way: “All very nice, and told in about the style in which fortune tellers talk to their dupes, so that no matter what transpires the tale will cover.” “Treat this so if you choose. As I have said, it is none of my affair. But, I know this, that freedom of speech on your part might save you some trouble.” “I don’t believe it.” “Then I may as well go.” “So you had, for you can’t work any game on me.”