“Have you got fifty?” “Yes.” “Here’s the century.” Carter took the bill and handed the cabby back fifty dollars. “Now let me give you a piece of advice,” he said. “What is it?” McCree asked. “Keep out of risky places to-night and be on your guard.” “Why?” “You are dealing with desperate men.” “I am aware of that, pard.” “Rich may employ some one to try and put you out of the way.” “You should have seen how he acted.” “I can imagine what he said.” “I’d like to know what kind of a game he and those others are playing?” “So would I.” “I’ve got to get back to the stand. I’ll see you to-morrow.” Carter shook hands with the rascally cabman, and they separated. The detective hastened away. Half an hour later he was ushered into the presence of the cashier of the safe deposit company. “Have you discovered a clew?” the cashier asked. “I’ll reply to that question as soon as you have answered a few queries which I am going to put to you,” the detective said. “What is it?” “You said that you gave Mr. Lawrence new bills.” “I did.” “Do you remember the numbers?” “I can tell you in a moment.” The cashier walked over to a desk, picked up a slip of paper, referred to it and said: “They were from 177865B to 177870B.” “Keno!” Carter shouted. He held in his hand the note which Rich had given to the cabman. He was looking at it when the cashier read the numbers. “What is the matter?” the cashier asked. “Do you see this bill?” Carter said, as he held the bill out for the cashier to inspect. “Gracious! Captain, that note is numbered one hundred and seventy-seven thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine B! That is one of the bills which I gave to Mr. Lawrence!” “Will you swear to that?” “I will. That is one of the bills.” “Thank you.” The two men were silent. CHAPTER XIV. TIGHTENING THE COILS. The cashier of the safe deposit company kept gazing in silence at Carter with open-mouthed astonishment. Nick’s countenance was illumined with an expression of triumph. He held in his hand damaging evidence against Simeon Rich. If Rich were innocent of the murder, how was it that he had in his possession one of the bills which the cashier of the safe deposit company had paid to the man who had been so cruelly murdered at the Red Dragon Inn? “This is a valuable clew,” the detective said, when the silence was becoming oppressive. “How did that bill come into your possession?” the cashier asked. “I think you can keep a secret?” “I can.” “Then I will tell you.” Then Carter gave the cashier a short account of the evidence which he had collected. When the detective finished the cashier remarked: “Captain, you are gradually weaving the coils around Simeon Rich.” “Yes,” Carter replied, “I am weaving coils around him, but I have no positive evidence that he committed the crime.” “That note?” “Not positive. If he has others of the series in his possession, then the coil will be stronger around him.”