Nick then told him what had transpired that morning; of the finding of the stolen portfolio by Chick and Patsy; of the subsequent arrest of the Baron Esterveldt and his confederates, and the imprisonment of the entire gang, with the exception of Andy Margate.

“But we shall get him later,” Nick added, after thrilling Garland with the entirely favorable outcome of the case. “The others will get all that is coming to them, and are as good as booked for long terms in a Federal prison. As for Andy Margate, he is a clever and elusive crook. I have wormed out of Trent that he got an inkling of this job before leaving Europe, and that he came over here to take advantage of it. He did not know just what it was, but he kept an eye on Madame Valaska and discovered her friendliness with you. He saw you only by chance when you were met by her at the Union Station, Trent and Carney being with him, and they saw her slip the portfolio to Dillon, then in disguise, just before the touring car started. Dillon passed by the car to receive[{41}] it, and Margate at once suspected its value. They waylaid him later, and—well, that’s the whole story. But he will not escape. We’ll get him later, Garland, take my word for it. We’ll get Andy Margate a little later.”

Nick Carter’s prediction proved to be correct.

THE END.

How Nick Carter’s prediction was fulfilled will be told in “Paying the Price; or, Nick Carter’s Perilous Venture,” the long, complete story which you will find in the next issue, No. 146, of the Nick Carter Stories, out June 26th. The further adventures of the celebrated detective and his two famous assistants in their efforts to run down Andy Margate is related in a most graphic manner. Then, too, there is the usual installment of the serial now running, together with several other interesting bits of information.

Where’s the Commandant?
By C. C. WADDELL.

(This interesting story was commenced in No. 140 of Nick Carter Stories. Back numbers can always be obtained from your news dealer or the publishers.)

CHAPTER XXII.
AN OFFER.

Stupefied at such a refined and gratuitous exhibition of malevolence, Grail seemed suddenly to awake at the words, straining at the cords about his limbs, striving desperately to slip the gag, if only to utter a single word. But his efforts were absolutely in vain. Head, trunk, hands, feet were held immovable as in a vise; not a sound could he force past his mute lips.

Instead, Rezonoff bent down close beside him, and in such an excellent imitation of Grail’s tones that one could scarcely doubt it came from him, flung after the gray-haired commandant a peal of derisive and insulting laughter. Then, the interlude over, he gave directions to relax the bonds on the prisoners, and remove them once more inside the hut.