“That’s all right. Before I go, just to show you that I am not playing on you, let me say that it is known about certain silver coming here. And, further, the man who brought it is tricking you.” “What! De----How do you know that?” Nick quietly smiled. “De----” Gorse had begun to utter the name of Demas Lorton, but remembering himself, had cut it short. Nick Carter had practically gained what he wished to know. He was quick to think and plan, and in less than a minute after this admission he said: “See here, Gorse!” “What now?” “Demas Lorton brought certain pieces of silver to you last night. They must be gotten rid of.” “So?” “Yes.” “For what reason?” “The best in the world! And, what is more!” “Well?” “The melting pot will not answer!” Gorse gave a start of surprise. At last he was thoroughly aroused. “What do you mean?” “The melting pot will not hide the traces of that particular lot of silver! It is all part of a game; the silver was prepared for the job!” “You mean that it was alloyed in a certain way?” “I do.” “I can destroy that!” “You cannot. The fact of its impossibility is the reason why I was sent here.” “Do you mean that I am to infer that Lorton is playing a double game?” “I have nothing more to say, unless you admit that Lorton did bring such silver here last night.” “Very well, I admit it. What, then?” “I am instructed to give you certain advice.” “Which is?” “That you send him back the silver so that he gets it at nine o’clock to-night.” “Why that particular time?” “You will see afterward.” Gorse was silent a minute, and then said: “I laid out good money on that stuff.” “Hang on to it, then, if you wish!” “I don’t want to do so at any risk.” “Then send it back!” “I will do so.” “So that he will receive it at the time I mentioned?” “Yes.” “Very well, I will so report to the person who sent me.” “Who was that?” “He said you would know that!” “I don’t, though.” “But you will before long, even though I do not tell you, as I shall not.” “How, then, will I know?” “He said that he would arrange to see you some time after ten to-night.” The detective took his leave at this juncture. Gorse did not now in any way doubt the man, although he could not understand the necessity for all this mystery. If a certain person connected with the police department, who had before now given him warning of approaching danger, wished to warn him again, why could he not have done it in a way as openly as before? Nick Carter had played a shrewd game, based on a supposition that Gorse had a friend in the department, which he had thought to be the case since it had never been possible to secure evidence that had been positively known to have been in his possession.