“The tall man near the end of the bar.”
“What is his name?”
“Scoville.”
“Call him over here.”
The waiter obeyed, returning with the manager, to whom Chick quickly explained the situation and stated what he wanted. The mere mention of Nick Carter’s name was sufficient to insure Scoville’s coöperation.
“Why, sure thing,” he said, after listening. “I would only bite off my own nose by refusing. Slip around the end of the bar, Mr. Carter, and into my private room. I’ll fit you out in half a minute and be glad to accommodate you in this matter.”
Chick did as directed, gliding around into the manager’s office, unseen by any in the concert hall.
Half a minute later, wearing a cap and apron, he emerged and mingled with the waiters, selecting that side of the room on which was the booth in which Vera Vantoon was seated.
The entire episode had transpired in less than five minutes, yet Chick had hardly arrived near the booth mentioned, when he saw Minerva Grand entering the concert hall with her veil partly raised.
At he same moment, too, he saw Vera Vantoon thrust her hand between the curtains of the booth and beckon to the approaching girl.