"It's where 'Spike' Cooper's lodgin'," was the answer. "Leastways, not Flood Lane itself, but dahn in one o' them old 'ouses backin' on the river. I seen 'im go in there twice with me own eyes." He pulled on his cap and half turned toward the door. "I'll get inside some'ow, miss. I'll learn wot they done to the doctor if I got to pull the blarsted place down." Nancy stepped forward. "Wait a minute," she said quickly. "I'm coming with you." Joe turned and stared at her incredulously. "You comin' with me?" he repeated. "Why, wot'd be the good o' that, miss?" "I can use a revolver," said Nancy curtly, "and there's one upstairs in the doctor's room. You stop here while I fetch it." There was something so imperative in her manner that Joe attempted no further argument. Removing his cap again, he seated himself obediently on a chair, and, leaving him and Martha Jane to keep each other company, Nancy hurried from the kitchen. Going straight to the cloak room, she slipped on a mackintosh over her indoor costume and, after rapidly donning a hat, ran up the staircase to the study. From the top drawer of the writing table she took out a small Service revolver which Mark had once exhibited to her with some pride as the actual implement with which he had formerly waged war against the Flanders rats. There was a box of cartridges alongside, and after filling all six chambers she thrust the weapon into her pocket, and swiftly made her way downstairs again to the kitchen. Joe, who was still sitting where she had left him, rose up at her entrance. It was Martha Jane, however, who was the first to speak. "You can't go off like this, Miss Nancy," she exclaimed. "Let me fetch a policeman to come with you." Nancy shook her head. "There's no time for that," she replied. "Besides, what can we possibly say to a policeman? If we tried to explain he'd only think we were mad." "You're right, miss," broke in Joe. "This 'ere's a job wot's got to be done quick, an' the sooner we get to it the better." "Come along then," returned Nancy. "I'm ready." She led the way out through the scullery door and, pulling open the iron gate, turned to Joe, who had followed closely on her heels. "You give the orders," she said, "and I'll do whatever you tell me." The light of the street lamp was shining full upon her face, and Joe paused for a moment to inspect her admiringly. "You got some sense, you 'ave," he observed, "and guts too." "I hope so," said Nancy. "Anyhow, I've got the revolver, and that seems to me to be almost as useful." With a chuckle Joe swung on to the pavement, and, turning to the left, headed eastward in the direction of Flood Lane. "It's this way, miss," he continued, after a short pause. "Seein' as 'ow we're workin' in the dark in a manner o' speakin,' it ain't no use makin' plans, not till we reach the 'ouse. The first thing we gotter do is to get inside. It don't sound like an easy job, but then, yer never knows."