“By Jupiter, that’s a fact! You’ve got a head on you, and no mistake. Why, you weren’t more than half a second in evolving the plan, were you?” “Not much longer, chief. The point that now confronts us is this: This farce will have to be carried through to a finish. While I am working outside, the general impression must be that I am laid up in this room.” “We can work that all right.” “I think so. The doctor already has his instructions. If you will put one of your trusty plain-clothes men next to the scheme, and send him here as a sort of nurse, I believe the plan can be carried through without any trouble.” “I’ll arrange it.” “Then there’s another thing for you to do.” “What’s that?” “Send a man to the central telephone office and learn where the call for Nicholas, Central Hotel, came from. “Let the man go to the place from which I was rung up, and, if possible, get a description of the fellow who sent in the call.” “I’ll do it. It’s a great game you are playing, Mr. Carter.” “I’m playing for big stakes. But don’t call me Carter; Nicholas will do for the present.” “I’ll remember. What are you going to do in the meantime?” “Lie here in bed until I hear what sort of a report your man makes about the fellow who called me up.” “Will you stay here alone?” “You can send one of the bell boys to be with me until your man comes.” “All right.” The chief got up to go. “I’m surprised to learn that those bank robbers are still in town.” “I’m not. This town is probably as safe for them as any other part of the country. Hurry that fly cop over here, chief. I have warm work ahead of me, and don’t want to be out of the running any longer than necessary.” “Trust me to hustle things,” replied the chief, and took his departure. CHAPTER XX. THE MEN FROM CHICAGO. Presently the bell boy came up and found Nick stretched out on the bed. The boy was a quiet little chap, and brought Nick a pitcher of water and a daily paper, and did a number of other things to make him comfortable. The detective was reading the paper when the plain-clothes man presented himself. “I was sent over here to take care of you,” said he. He accompanied his words with a wink by way of informing the detective that he knew what was expected of him. “Thank you,” said Nick. “What name?” “Jerome.” “Well, Mr. Jerome, may I trouble you to take a dollar out of my vest pocket and give it to this boy?” The vest and coat were hanging over a chair, and Jerome secured the dollar and handed it to the boy. As soon as the boy was gone, the detective sprang from the bed. “You know your duties, do you, Jerome?” “I’m going to pretend I’ve got you here, whether you’re here or not,” he grinned. “That’s it; and you’re also to pretend that I’m a mighty sick man.” “I’ll play the part O. K., sir. Don’t worry about that.” “I don’t worry about much of anything, Jerome. It’s a waste of energy.” “You don’t believe in crossing bridges before you get to ’em, then?”