CHAPTER XVIII.
A MYSTERIOUS BULLET.
It was ten o’clock when Nick Carter walked into the People’s National Bank, halted at the cashier’s window, and asked for Mr. Hepner.
The cashier knew all the customers of the institution, and the sight of a strange face prompted him to put a question on a matter that was uppermost in his mind:
“Are you Mr.——”
“Yes,” interrupted the detective. “I am Mr. Nicholas, the man you are looking for.”
The cashier gave a start and looked at Nick blankly for a moment.
Then his face cleared.
“Ah, yes,” he smiled. “I understand. I will go in and tell Mr. Hepner you are here, Mr. Nicholas.”
“Just a moment. I would like a look at the vault before I talk with Mr. Hepner.”