Patsy was close behind him. Walking at a brisk gait, which he quickened to pass Masson, he saw that that person was going to Fourth Avenue. Nearing the corner of Fourth Avenue, Patsy put himself in concealment, quite certain that he had not been observed by Masson or the two men. And from that point he saw Masson turn up Fourth Avenue, followed by the two men. Now Patsy trailed in behind them. The way was up Fourth Avenue, only a few blocks, when Masson turned into a saloon on the corner, making a signal for the two men to follow him. The young detective passed in close behind the two. A hasty glance about the room showed him that it was well thronged by customers, something he had hoped for. It also showed him that a partition formed a small room in the corner on the side on which was the bar. At the end of the bar, nearest this small room, was a large and rather ornamental icebox. At the end of the box, furthest from the bar, and out of sight of it, was a door leading into the hall by which the upper floors of the house were reached. This door was open and swung back against the partition, leaving a space behind it. Masson made his way through the customers to this small room, followed by the two men. He ordered drinks for them, and when they had been served and paid for, he closed the door, shutting himself up with them. Patsy slipped behind the hall door. He could hear nothing, however. By dint of climbing upon the door, resting a foot on the door-knob, he brought his ear on a level with the top of the partition. The effort paid him. “There’s a lot of trouble,” said Masson’s voice, quickly recognized by Patsy. “In the first place, Nick Carter has been put on the case.” “That’s bad,” said one of the others. “Why bad?” asked Masson. “Because he’s a wizard to get at the bottom of things.” “Well, it isn’t likely he’ll spend much time on this matter, for he’s got something bigger on hand. But that isn’t what I am after just now. Listen to me. “Nick Carter was put on the case. The woman has charged me with being at the bottom of the thing. However, there was a change, and that gives me a chance to do a thing I want to have done. “Nick Carter won’t pay much attention to this thing for a while.” “That’s where you’re off,” interrupted the voice Patsy had first heard. “One of his best men was in the Garden this afternoon. He’s there now on the snoop.” “You’re wrong, old man,” muttered Patsy to himself. “I’m here, on the sneak.” “Who?” asked Masson, anxiously. “Patsy Murphy,” replied the other. “I dropped to him as soon as I saw him.” “Are you sure?” asked Masson. “You bet he’s sure,” said the other. “He’s been through Patsy’s hands, and he knows him.” “That’s so,” said the first one, “and he left his mark on me so he’d know me again. I sneaked when I saw him.” “Well, if that’s so,” said Masson, “it makes it all the more necessary that the thing moves as I have planned. “This woman’s sister was killed last night.”