“Perhaps not, in this rig. Will you come up to Sherton’s with me and have some supper? I want to talk with you.” “Who are you?” “My name is Nicholas Carter.” “Why, I----” “You need not be afraid.” “I am not afraid.” “Will you accompany me?” “I don’t understand.” “I will explain when we get to Sherton’s. There we can secure a secluded table, and no one will see us.” “It isn’t that----” “You will not regret it.” “I will go with you.” The detective and Dora had little to say until after the repast at Sherton’s was placed upon the table, and they were alone. “Now we can talk,” the detective said, as soon as the waiter had left the room. “You said you desired to secure some information from me?” Dora remarked. “I do.” “I can’t imagine what it is about.” “You have been friendly with a man named Dick Darwin?” Dora started. She laid down her knife and fork, and looked at the detective, with amazement depicted upon every line of her handsome face. “You heard what passed between us a while ago?” she ejaculated. “I did,” Carter calmly replied, and he smiled. “Then you know that I have thrown him over?” “Yes.” “I do not intend to have anything more to do with him.” “Do you really mean that?” “I do. I am serious. I have made many sacrifices for that man, and he has treated me brutally.” “To-morrow you will change your mind.” “Mr. Carter, my mind is made up. Nothing will make me change it. I possess my father’s nature. You were a friend of his, and you know how bitter he could be against any one for whom he formed a dislike. It is the same way with me.” “Then you will not hesitate to tell me all you know about Darwin?” “Has he committed a crime?” asked Dora. “Do _you_ think he has?” “I do not know.” “Neither do I,” asserted Carter, with a smile. “Then why are you so anxious to get information about him?” “I can’t tell you.” “Oh!” Dora gazed at the detective. She picked up the glass of wine and commenced to sip the amber-colored liquid. Carter was silent, but he watched her closely. “Mr. Carter,” Dora said, as she set down the glass, “I will tell you everything I know about that man.” “I thank you,” the detective rejoined. “I hate him.” Her eyes flashed. The hot blood mantled her brow, and she hissed out the words between her clenched teeth. Now the detective saw that she was in earnest. He knew that she did hate Dick Darwin, and no power could make her become friendly with him again. “How long have you been acquainted with him?” Carter asked, after a short silence. “About three years,” Dora answered. “Where did you first meet him?” “In London.” “What were you doing over there?” “I was in the chorus of ‘A Girl from New York.’ We were playing over there at the Gayety.” “Were you introduced to him?” “I was.” “By whom?” “One of the other chorus girls, Sally Rich.” “Then you were acquainted with Miss Rich?” “Yes.” “And her brother?” “I know him.” “Well?” “Yes.” “How long have you known him?”