“Quarter to twelve, Mechlin, Gotham.”
“Here’s something, at all events,” thought Nick.
He placed the card carefully in his pocketbook; then, with a final look at the spot where Gardner had had his life and death struggle, he started slowly and thoughtfully out of the alley and toward the front of the bank.
Before he reached the bank entrance he came to a sudden halt.
“By Jove!” he muttered.
He did not go into the bank, at that moment, but hastened past the entrance and turned in at a telegraph office further down the street.
There he wrote out and sent the following “rush” message, the contents being in cipher:
“Chickering Carter, New York:
“Investigate No. 1145 Mechlin Street immediately. Send Patsy along by first train.
Nick.”