This time he reversed his tactics, re-entered by the hall, and made his way to his room on the second floor.
He read his telegram.
It was from Chick, and ran thus:
“Look out for a man with a mole on his right cheek, short, thickset, named Clancy. Will come with Patsy. Important that I should see you.”
“This short, thickset man is making himself pretty numerous,” thought Nick, putting the telegram away in his grip.
“What I want you to do, chief,” said Nick, approaching the officer, “is to wire the Chicago chief of police and ask for immediate information about a man named Leonard Martin. If the Chicago people know such a man, I’d like to learn his present whereabouts.”
“I’ll send the dispatch at once,” said the chief.
“Have the answer left with Jerome, when it comes.”
“Very well.”
The chief left the room and passed down the stairs.