"Really, sir, I think I have," admitted Violet, with a look of anxious appeal. Nick drew out his watch and glanced quickly at it. "Ring for a carriage, Chick," said he abruptly. "We have no time to lose." "I'll call one at once," nodded Chick, as he sprang up and hastened from the room. "Am I to depart now, Detective Carter?" asked Violet, beginning to tremble. "Oh, sir, will you not give me some word of encouragement before I go? I am sure that Harry Boyden never committed--" "Hush!" interposed Nick, rising and taking her kindly by the hand. "I cannot at present tell you, Miss Page, what I think of this case. I will say this, however, if Harry Boyden is, as you so firmly believe, innocent of this crime, I will not rest until I have proved him guiltless." "Oh, Detective Carter, how am I to thank you?" cried the girl, with her tearful eyes raised to Nick's kindly face. "By not trying to do so," said he, smiling. "And by carefully following a few directions which I shall now give you." "I will follow them to the very letter, sir," cried the grateful girl. "First, then, go home and borrow no further trouble about young Boyden," said Nick, impressively. "Second, disclose to no person that you have called upon me, or that I have any interest in the case. Third, say nothing about the jewel casket, and display no personal knowledge of the affair. Fourth, do not come here again unless I send for you. And, finally, rest assured that I will do all in my power to have young Boyden at liberty as soon as possible. To remain in custody a short time, however, will not seriously harm him, and in a way it may do me some service. Can you remember all that?" "Indeed I can, sir; and I will obey you in all!" cried Violet, with much feeling. "That's right," smiled Nick, as he escorted her to the door. "You shall not lose anything by so doing." "Ah, I am sure of that, sir. You are so very kind, and I am so glad that I came to you." "Well, well, we shall see," laughed Nick, with a paternal caress of her shapely white hand. "By the way, Miss Page, since I now happen to think of it," the crafty detective indifferently added, "wasn't there a Hindoo juggler, or snake charmer, or something of that sort, connected with your late vaudeville company?" "Oh, yes, sir! Pandu Singe." "Ah, that is his name, is it?" "Yes, sir." "Is he still in the city?" "I am not sure, Mr. Carter; but I think that he may be, for he is signed with the company for next season." "Do you know where he has been living?" "Yes, sir. I have seen his house address on letters forwarded to the theater. Do you want it, sir?" "If you can recall it, yes," smiled Nick, producing his notebook. "I am making a study of the Hindoo language just at this time, and I would like to consult Pandu Singe about certain books on the subject."