“Then he could not have been a very successful operator, do you think?” “I never stopped to think of the matter in that way. Uncle has enough to keep him as long as he lives, I guess.” The maid rapped at the door, just then, and summoned Miss Lansing away. “You will excuse me, Mr. Jones?” she asked, before leaving. “Certainly,” said Nick. “Gladly,” he added to himself. The instant he was left alone, Nick picked up the letter that lay on the library table. “J. Edward Bingham, Esq.,” ran the address. Pulling out a leaf of the desk, Nick picked up a pearl paper cutter and ran the edge around under the flap. Then he took out the folded sheet and read as follows: “DEAR BINGHAM: Called away and cannot meet you and Cooper at ten this morning. Yasmar found it impossible to come, but will meet you at another place to-night, and deal will then be consummated. Bring your certified checks to my house at eight this evening, and I will take you to the place where Yasmar is to be waiting. “MONTGOMERY.” Picking up a blank sheet of paper, Nick took a pen and wrote another letter. It was slightly different from Montgomery’s. He made no attempt to imitate Montgomery’s handwriting, nor did he sign Montgomery’s name. Experience assured him that receiving the communication from Miss Lansing, and in Montgomery’s house, would make the letter plausible enough for the purpose. “DEAR BINGHAM: Called away and cannot meet you and Cooper at ten this morning. Deal is off for to-day. Return by first train to Boston and wait there until Yasmar and I come.” Nick put this in the envelope, sealed it with mucilage found on the desk, and laid the letter on the book on the library table, just as it was before. In looking for the mucilage he had to disturb the papers a little, and he found something else which he considered of the utmost importance. This something else was a cigarette box containing five cigarettes which fitted the cigarette machine and also bore a perfect resemblance to the cigarette Nick had smoked, the day before, in the assay office. Nick sank back in the chair, his face extremely thoughtful. “Well, well,” he muttered. Just then Miss Lansing came hurriedly in. “The two gentlemen whom uncle expected are downstairs at the door,” she said, walking to the table and picking up the letter. “I will return presently, Mr. Jones.” “I am in no hurry, Miss Lansing.” When again left alone, Nick picked a cigarette from the box and put it in his pocket. He was ready to leave when Miss Lansing returned. “Must you go?” asked the girl. “Yes, but I would like to leave some one here, if you have no objections.” “Who, Mr. Jones?” “One of my assistants. If possible, I would be glad if his presence here could remain a secret between us--even if your uncle should come.” “It could be arranged, Mr. Jones.” “Then I will summon my assistant. Will you conduct me to a rear window on this floor?”