“The old fool will never dare to show it.” “That man has already been to Bellevue and examined the records.” “How do you know that?” “I made inquiries.” “When?” “This afternoon.” “Humph!” “It was well I had him watched.” “In one way it was.” “Yes, in many ways.” The men rested back in their chairs, and were silent. Carter had heard every word, and he was sure that the two men had referred to him, although they had not mentioned any names. His heart beat violently, in spite of his stoicism. Outwardly he was composed, but inwardly he was excited. “Am I on the right trail at last?” he asked himself. “Have these men had anything to do with the mysterious murder at the Red Dragon Inn? Ought I to suspect them?” Darwin arose from the table, paid the cashier for what they had had, and then the two men strolled out of the café into the corridor of the hotel, when they halted near the newspaper stand. Carter followed them openly but unobtrusively, and stood within a few feet of them. The lobby was crowded with people, and it was easy to keep them under surveillance without the fear of attracting their attention. “Well, Rich, what are you going to do?” Carter heard Darwin ask, after they had stood silent for some time near the door. “I am going uptown,” Rich replied evasively. “To see Isabella?” “Yes.” “Try and induce her to take a trip to Philadelphia, and remain there until things quiet down.” “She won’t listen to that.” “Confound these women, anyway! If you had let me manage that affair, and kept her out of it, there would have been nothing to worry about. As it is, you went ahead without asking my advice, and the result may be that you have furnished that man with a clew which will lead up to our downfall.” “Always croaking, Dick!” “No, I am not.” “What are _you_ going to do?” “I am going to take a trip down to Lem Samson’s joint, and see if Brockey Gann has any report to make.” “What time to-morrow will you meet me?” “Eleven o’clock.” “Where?” “Here,” said Darwin. “If anything of importance has occurred, I will send you word.” “Then, good night.” They had walked out into the street, and now they separated, one starting uptown and the other walking down to the corner of Twenty-fourth Street, where he halted to wait for a car. For a moment or so Carter was in doubt about which one he ought to follow. Richard Darwin had mentioned that he was going downtown to a place kept by a man named Lem Samson. The detective was familiar with the place, which was one of the worst crooks’ resorts on Houston Street, near Macdougal Street. He also knew that Brockey Gann was the leader of a gang of thugs. He had arrested Brockey several times, and once he succeeded in sending him to State’s prison for a short term. Carter saw Darwin start out toward the center of the street as a downtown car came along. In an instant his mind was made up. He ran out into the street and jumped aboard the car ahead of Darwin.