CHAPTER XLII.THE FIRST VICTIM.
Shortly afterward the butler knocked at the study door and opened it.
“Mr. Chester J. Gillespie to see you, sir,” he announced.
Before Nick could reply, or the butler could get out of the way, for that matter, the young man named pushed into the room, his face pale with agitation.
“You must help me, Mr. Carter!” he cried excitedly. “I—”
He paused as Nick motioned the butler to withdraw and close the door. When the servant had complied, Nick said quietly:
“Sit down, Mr. Gillespie. I’m very sorry to learn that some one has attempted to blackmail you, but there’s no necessity for such great haste.”
His caller had started to take a chair, but paused with his hand on the back of it, and stared at Nick in the greatest amazement. Presently, a spot of angry re
