So he directed Chick to go out and post himself so that he could shadow Nick and see whether he was followed. And, having respect for the skill of this Brown Robin, he sent Patsy out charged with the duty of following Chick, and Ida later to follow Patsy. Thus it was that when, an hour later, he went out into the street, his passage to the Zetler Bank was in the nature of a procession. Nick’s passage, however, was not direct, for he received a signal from Chick that the latter thought a person was on the track of his chief. Consequently he took a devious route, turning into many strange places, doubling on his track and doing a number of strange things. All this time he paid not the slightest attention as to whether or not another person was doing these strange things, for he was relying upon Chick to determine whether any one was on his track. “Gee!” said Patsy, when, in these doubling turns, he came upon Ida, “what is this game we’re getting this morning?” However, Chick had seen a young man about twenty-five or six, who had made his appearance only as Nick had shown on the street, and whose route was the same as that of the chief. When Nick had taken to his devious ways on hearing a peculiar huckster’s cry behind him, which he knew to be from Chick, this young man had taken to the same devious ways. When Nick started straight for the bank, this young man had followed, and Chick saw him walk to the very door of the Zetler Bank to watch Nick enter. Summoning Patsy by signal, he sent him on the trail of this young man, while he awaited the appearance of Nick from the bank. The wait was a long one. When Nick presented his name, Mr. Cary came forward in such excitement that Nick thought he would betray himself to every one within hearing. “I am glad to see you, Mr. Carter,” he said. “My business is most important, yet I have been warned——” “I know,” said Nick, calmly, “the Brown Robin. You have been told not to dare to talk to me.” “Why,” exclaimed Mr. Cary, “how do you know that?” “I guessed it,” said Nick, with a smile. “But take me somewhere where we can talk aloud and unheard.” Mr. Cary led the way into an inner room, closing the door after him. “Now,” said Nick, “there are certain things I know of this case, but I want you to tell me everything, concealing nothing, not even when it tells against yourself. I shall regard it as a confidential communication. Make neither excuses, nor apologies, but tell the plain truth.” “But I have been warned not to talk to you at all.” “By whom?” asked Nick. “By some one who signs the letter ‘The Brown Robin.’” “Let me see that letter,” demanded Nick. “Well, I don’t know that I ought.” “Now, Mr. Cary,” said Nick, sternly, “you were blackmailed last night; indeed, it was more nearly like robbery, for the money was taken from your hands while you were hesitating whether you would pay it over or not.” “You know that? How?” asked Mr. Cary.