Nick Carter entered the Ashburton Chambers soon after eight o’clock that evening. He did not send up his card to Kate Crandall. He sauntered in and bought some cigars off a girl clerk in charge of the counter. While lighting one, he inquired carelessly:
“Have you seen Ralph Sheldon here this evening?”
“Yes, sir,” said the girl. “He came in half an hour ago. I saw him talking with the clerk. I guess he went up to his suite.”
“To the woman’s suite,” thought Nick, recalling what Danny had reported. Then, indifferently: “I heard today that Mr. Sheldon is living here.”
“Yes, sir. He has a suite with Mr. Floyd on the third floor. They have been here about two months.”
“Philip Floyd?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t think he is here today. He travels a good deal of the time. The clerk can tell you.”
