“Yes, and it has seemed strange to me that the detectives have not been able to find a clew.” “Will you accompany me?” “Yes.” “I may need your assistance.” “I will help you, Mr. Carter, gladly.” “Let us start.” Lena put on her hat and coat, packed a few articles in a valise, and then she and the detective left the tenement. Day was dawning when Carter reached his home. He conducted Lena to Mrs. Peters, his housekeeper, who gave her a room, in which she promised to remain. Nick gave her a few instructions, and then he retired to his own room, where he threw himself down upon a couch and went to sleep. It was late in the morning when Carter awoke. He had an interview with Lena, and then, after partaking of a light breakfast, he went downtown. Chickering Carter and Patsy Garvan, his two chief assistants, were engaged upon another case--in which, by the way, Nick was fated to play a prominent part--so he did not see them that morning. Nick stepped into the Cosmopolitan Hotel, and saw Mr. Wright, who informed him that his room had been entered during the night by some one. “I think I know who it was,” the detective remarked, and then he departed, feeling sure that the person who had entered the room was Brockey Gann. It tickled him to think that the rascal had been disappointed. Carter called at police headquarters, and there he learned that other detectives had not made a discovery. He informed the chief inspector that he was following a promising clew, and that he might be able to render a report in a few days. After leaving headquarters, he went uptown to the Knickerbocker Cottage. There he questioned the waiters, and at last he found the man who had served Rich and Darwin on New Year’s Eve. “Did you hear any of their conversation?” the detective asked the waiter. “Only a little,” the man answered. “They talked about some man who had just arrived in the city.” “Was any name mentioned?” “Yes.” “Can you recall it?” “I think it was Lawrence.” “What did they say about him?” “I don’t know.” “What time did they leave here?” “About half past ten o’clock.” “Did you hear them mention where they were going?” “A messenger boy brought Rich a note. He read it, and then I heard him remark that they had better hurry down to McKeever’s saloon.” “Was that all?” “Yes.” “Did you notice the number of the messenger?” “It was seven-twenty-one.” “Do you know the boy?” “He is attached to the office on Broadway and Thirtieth Street.” The waiter was unable to give the detective any more information. Carter hurried to the office of the district messenger company. There he found the messenger boy. “Do you remember delivering a note on New Year’s Eve to a man who was dining at the Knickerbocker Cottage?” the detective asked the messenger. “Was he a tall man?” the boy queried. “Yes.” “He was with a short, stout man?” “Yes.” “I gave him the note.” “From whom did you receive it?” “A man.” “Did you ever see him before?” “No.”