He finally found what he wanted, which was the following, written in an easy and flowing hand:
“Leonard Martin, Chicago.”
This entry had been made on the preceding Saturday, and Nick saw that Leonard Martin had been assigned to Room 13.
Directly following this signature were three names, as follows:
“Leslie Hibbard, Morris Markham and Emil Z. Schiffel,” all hailing from the same place that claimed Mr. Martin.
But there were check marks opposite the names of these three guests, showing that they had balanced their accounts and left.
“May I see the letters and telegrams?” Nick asked.
The clerk handed over a bundle, and the detective proceeded to look at them.
There was a letter for Mr. Leonard Martin, bearing a Chicago postmark; also a telegram for James Nicholas.
Nick slipped the telegram into his pocket, unnoticed by the clerk, and passed out through the doors again.