The Brown Robin was waiting, and, as he approached, Nick did not fail to observe a flash of triumph in the eyes of that person. She arose to meet him, and welcomed him cordially. “I was very much afraid that you would fail me,” she said. “Oh, no,” he said, carelessly. “I am quite anxious to see this Brown Robin.” “Why, indeed!” “She must be an attractive person. An old gentleman who ought to know better was caught by her, and rushed off to me to get him out of his trouble. But before I could get to work, he backed out of the matter, and, I think, because she has entangled him in her charms.” The one beside him looked up quickly at Nick, but she could not read his face. “They say,” said she, “that there is no fool like an old fool. I suppose you could not be caught that way.” “A man is very foolish to boast of his ability to resist the charms of a pretty woman,” said Nick, gravely. “I have seen too many strong men caught to be boastful myself.” “Perhaps it is the story of her charms that makes you so willing to go with me?” “Perhaps,” replied Nick, “but I think it is more out of curiosity to see the woman who has baffled the police forces of so many large cities. It might be useful, you know, to me some time. There’s no knowing how soon a case in which she is operating may be given me.” To this the pretended Mrs. Ansel made no reply. After a moment Nick said: “Ought we not to go?” “As it draws near to the time, I am a little frightened,” she said. Nevertheless she made preparations to start. They went out of the store, walking down Sixth Avenue to Eighteenth Street, and then through that street to Fifth Avenue. On the corner of that street the pretended Mrs. Ansel suddenly gave a little scream, clung tightly to Nick for a moment, and then leaped into a doorway, hiding herself. Nick did not follow her, but stood still, watching her. The woman peered out cautiously; finally she came with a greatly frightened air to him, gasping out: “My husband! He just crossed the street.” “What then?” asked Nick. “Oh, if he had seen you with me there would have been such a row. He is so jealous—so suspicious!” “Come along and point him out to me.” He fairly pulled her to the corner, but, reaching it, the pretended Mrs. Ansel could not see her husband. “That frightens me,” she said. “He may have seen me. He may be hiding to watch me. Oh, come away!” She hurried across the street, Nick following her. From that time on she kept up her nervous, frightened manner, until the door of the Seventeenth Street house was reached. “What an admirable actress she is!” thought Nick. “She is wasting great talents in a dangerous game when she might win fame on the stage.” At this house, looking up at the number, she said: “This is the place. Shall we go in?” “That is what we came for, isn’t it?” asked Nick. Without another word, the pretended Mrs. Ansel mounted the steps and rang the bell. Nick followed her up leisurely.