“Not if you want to make a sleuth out of me.” “I don’t--in a sense.” “But you want me to get in with this young lion and get the worst of the bargain.” Carter thought a moment. Was there not some other way of bringing this man to time? Nick had befriended him once, had saved him from a term up the river; and now he needed him. Jack Redmond was a clever, all-around crook, and, at the same time, he knew how to spy and do anything that required wits and cunning. Suddenly Nick turned again to the man and said: “You know Margie?” At this Redmond started and seemed to shiver. “Where is she?” he eagerly inquired. “Where she can be found at any time.” “Do you know?” “Will you help me?” Redmond sprang up and confronted the detective with a quick look. “Does she think of me yet?” “I can’t say that.” “Will you help me with Margie?” “So far as I can.” “Then I’m yours!” For a moment the detective watched the man and held out his hand; but the crook refused it. “No, I’m yours. You’ve bought me,” he said. “Now, what am I to do?” For some time the detective talked, and was not interrupted. When he went away he seemed to smile to himself, and half an hour later he was back in his own rooms. One hour later Claude Lamont was met in the club annex by a man, who held out his hand. Lamont looked searchingly at this person and shook his head. “You have the best of me,” said he. “What, don’t you know me?” cried the other, as if surprised. “I’m Belmont.” “The devil you are!” “That’s who I am, and I’m not surprised that you did not recognize me.” “I thought you were dead--in fact, three years ago I read about your death at sea.” “So did thousands,” laughed the so-called Belmont, who was Jack Redmond, the crook. “I thought at one time I was on the brink of eternity. We had nine tough weeks on a tropical island, but were saved by a liner.” This seemed to satisfy Lamont, for he fell to talking to Redmond, and the two adjourned to the wine-room and opened several bottles. It was midnight before they parted, and then Redmond slunk away. He had broken the ice. “To-morrow,” said he, “I will go a little further, and before the week’s out I’ll have my clutches on this man for Carter. He doesn’t suspect, and I’ve completely hoodwinked him.” Jack went back to his little den, but did not lock the door. Ten minutes later he heard footsteps on the stair, and, thinking that Carter was coming back, he watched the door with some curiosity. When the door opened he got pale, for instead of the detective another man stood before him. “Spy and informer, your time has come!” cried this person, who seemed as wiry as a tiger as he crossed the room. Jack Redmond started from his chair, but a revolver was thrust into his face, and he fell back. “Silence! Not a word! That was a cool game you played to-night,” continued the other. “What game?” stammered the crook. “You know, and it’s going to cost you your treacherous life.” “No.”