CHAPTER 5PAVING THE WAY
It was only five o’clock when Nick left the hotel, no longer in disguise, and he hastened through E Street to his destination. He found a police sergeant in the outer office, a stranger to him, as was he to the sergeant, but who politely informed him that Captain Hardy, with whom the detective was well acquainted, was in his private office.
Nick walked in without the ceremony of knocking.
A portly, full-featured man with close-cut gray hair turned from his desk to see who had entered.
“Hello, Hardy,” said Nick, approaching him. “I cannot see that you have lost an ounce since we last met.”
“Well, by thunder!” Captain Hardy sprang up and extended his hand.
“Buy herrings, Hardy, instead,” laughed Nick, while they shook hands. “You’ll get more for your money.”
“W
