“Have a look, Chick,” said Nick. “Use my lens.”
Chick hastened to comply, viewing one of several faint bits of evidence on the dusty floor.
“What is it?” Oakley repeated, quivering with excitement.
Chick looked up and replied:
“It’s a faint print in the dust—the print of a naked foot.”
CHAPTER V.
WHERE THE TRAIL LED.
“Subdue your surprise. This is no more than I was expecting to find,” said Nick Carter, glancing at Oakley’s amazed face. “I have picked up a trail which I felt sure I must seek, sooner or later, and to find where it leads now is of paramount importance.”
“Gee! that’s right, chief, for fair,” said Patsy. “This man hunt now opens in earnest.”
“I shall need you no longer, Oakley,” Nick added. “You had better join the other students at the lecture. I will do what I can to pull you fellows out of this scrape, but much will depend upon what already has been published, and upon my success in finding the missing man. No, no, don’t demur over going, nor stop to thank me. Time now is of double value. Go at once.”
Oakley appeared anxious to remain to follow farther the detective’s investigations, but the expression in Nick’s eyes warned him against objecting, and he turned with a nod and a mere word of thanks and hurried from the basement.