“Do so,” replied Mr. Sanborn, his face lighting up, “and you will lift a heavy load off my shoulders.”
“Then,” said Nick, “we will begin without delay.”
He went to the telephone that was in Mr. Sanborn’s room, and, calling up Patsy, told him to dress himself as if he were going to a fashionable morning wedding, and to report as soon as he could to Mr. Sanborn’s house, where he would find either Chick or himself, or both, to explain matters to him.
He then sought Ida, and, getting her, told her the same thing as he had told Patsy.
Turning from the telephone, Nick said to Chick:
“I think, Chick, you had better go and rig yourself for this thing. Put yourself in your best shape, for you will have to mix with the guests as one of them.”
Chick went away, replying that he would return within an hour.
He had not been away more than five minutes, when a card was brought to Mr. Sanborn with the word that the caller had come from the Chief of the Detective Bureau.
“A little late, perhaps,” said Mr. Sanborn, “but they are here with their offer of protection.”
He was about to turn to the servant and tell him that all provision had been made, and that the services of the Detective Bureau would not be required, when Nick stopped him.