“Well, this is a new experience. Really, it is entertaining. I think I shall enjoy it.”
She went back to a chair, and sat down.
“Now, Miss One-of-Nick-Carter’s-People, what is your business with me?”
“Miss Rainforth, you notified my chief that a robbery was to be attempted at Mr. Sanborn’s house yesterday. Subsequently, and almost immediately after the singular disappearance of Mr. Ellison, you wrote another letter to Mr. Carter, telling him a woman was at the bottom of that disappearance. Later in the evening, you made your appearance, in disguise, in places in the Tenderloin, under circumstances which, if known publicly, would ruin the most respectable young lady.”
Miss Rainforth sprang to her feet, this time genuinely alarmed.
“How do you know that?” she exclaimed. “What do you know? How much do you know?”
Ida saw that she had made a point much stronger than she knew.
Evidently, the young lady had been engaged in something the night previous, had been somewhere, and had been involved in something, the concealment of which was far more important to her than of her entrance to the all-night restaurant at midnight.
Ida was quick to use the advantage she had gained, though she recognized that she was on dangerous ground, and was ignorant of what had so excited the young woman.
“You know little of Nick Carter and his perfect system,” she replied, “if you do not know that he is aware of the movements of any one who is of concern to him.”