Just now, however, his haggard, worried face fairly shrieked of disappointment. Nick Carter, accustomed to reading stories in the human countenance, saw that something had gone wrong, and that Douglas was metaphorically up a tree.
The captain shook hands with Nick Carter. Then he suggested that they step over to a quiet corner of the lobby, where there were several chairs.
“What’s up, captain?” asked Nick.
Douglas hesitated and passed a nervous hand across his chin.
“I suppose I may trust to your keeping it quiet?”
“Of course.”
“I know that,” returned the captain feverishly. “But this is such an extraordinary affair, and it concerns so many big men that I don’t like to speak of it even to myself.”
“Gee! Why don’t he cough it up?” grumbled Patsy, in a low tone.
Chick twitched his sleeve.
“Keep quiet, Patsy!”