On the opposite side of the street, seated on the lower step of a house immediately opposite, was Patsy, talking to an ill-favored specimen of a man similarly seated.
A single glance assured Nick that Patsy was not idling his time, but was there for a purpose.
Whether he was watching for him or not, Nick could not tell, but he drew the curtains aside and placed himself close to the window.
Patsy saw him at once and made a series of rapid signals to Nick.
They meant to Nick that Patsy had hit upon a man important in their search, that he wanted the man followed while he, Patsy, could make a change in his appearance.
Telling Mr. Herron that he had no more business in the house and would at once begin the search, Nick descended the stairs, and, opening the front door, stood a moment within the vestibule, where he signaled to Patsy with his hands that he had understood him.
Patsy immediately got up, and, after a word or two with the fellow beside him, walked off in the direction of the west without looking behind.
The fellow slouched down the street to the east and Nick went after him at a safe distance, taking the precaution to cross the street, so as to be on the same side with him.
Nick did not know the purpose of the shadow, but he had confidence enough in Patsy to take up the lines suggested blindly.
The man led Nick to Third Avenue, where he turned to the right, or, toward Thirty-fourth Street. Here Nick made a mark in red chalk on the corner, which should indicate to Patsy the direction in which they turned.