Nick might have disclosed his identity and forced Gorse to restore the silver to him. But, for him to have taken this step would have resulted in a widespread alarm that would certainly reach the ears of Lorton and thus defeat the main object he had in view. He believed he had arranged the matter a great deal better, and it could not but prove so if Gorse did as he said he would, and sent the silver back to Lorton at nine that night. Nick now hurried away to headquarters and was closeted for some little time with the chief. The men he asked for were placed at his disposal. Then he proceeded to his office, and made arrangements with his two assistants, Chick and Patsy, to accompany him on what all knew would be a dangerous errand. CHAPTER XXIV. THE PLOT THAT FAILED. It was half an hour in advance of the time when Gorse was, according to agreement, to return to Lorton the silver taken from Mr. Field’s house. Deep in the shadow of a doorway near the entrance to the “fence’s” quarters stood the figure of a man. It was Nick Carter. Around the corner, within signaling distance, were Chick and Patsy and six police officers. Twenty minutes passed. Suddenly the door of Gorse’s place opened and Gorse himself stepped out. Nick drew back further into the doorway, but he kept his eye on the man, and noticed that he carried a large and what seemed to be a heavy bundle under his arm. He passed quickly down the street, glancing furtively behind him from time to time. But despite his caution he was closely shadowed by Nick, who had taken up the trail after giving an odd whistle that could be heard around the corner. Several blocks were passed, the man in front carefully avoiding the well-lighted streets. Finally he paused before the door of a house in a narrow little street, and started to ascend the steps. He had scarcely done so, however, when he felt a hand clasped on his shoulder and, looking quickly around, he found himself looking into the barrel of a gleaming revolver. He gave one look at the man who held the weapon and his face turned to ashes as he gasped: “Nick Carter!” “Yes, my man. It’s Nick Carter. No noise, now. Come this way lively.” Gorse was too much surprised to refuse, and before he knew it he was handcuffed and led back the way he had come. The two did not go far before Nick stopped abruptly on hearing a slight noise ahead of him. It proved to be his assistants and the police approaching, and turning his prisoner over to them, he told them to await his signals opposite the building he had spotted. Nick now proceeded toward the house Gorse had attempted to enter. He was confident he was about to make some important discoveries, and his face wore a smile of satisfaction at the clever way he had tricked the proprietor of the “fence.” Nick stealthily approached the basement door and listened a few minutes to make sure no one was in the hallway within.