Nick Carter did not often confide in a stranger to the extent that he had confided in Mr. Chester Clayton’s private secretary.
One familiar with the habits and methods of the famous detective might reasonably infer that he had some covert motive in doing so, some ulterior object to be attained by secrecy and coöperation with Mr. Rollo Garside, though what it was would by no means appear obvious. Nor, if such was the case, did it immediately appear on the surface.
For, after three days, the mystery involving the killing of Doctor Joseph Thorpe seemed to be deeper and darker than ever, with the utmost efforts of the detectives failing to shed a ray of light on the case.
Nick Carter had, in fact, found no additional evidence beyond that discovered within an hour after the crime. A careful
