A pile of letters had accumulated in his absence, but it did not take him long to deal with his correspondents; then directing one of his assistants to inform the chief that he had returned and was acting on the urgent message, he started for the St. James and sent up his card to Miss Templin.
He was invited to “come right up,” and he soon afterward stood before the entrance to a suite of rooms on the second floor.
His knock was answered by a woman’s voice, which bade him enter.
Accepting the invitation, he found himself standing in the presence of a young lady, richly and tastefully dressed, and remarkably handsome.
She held in her hand the card which Nick had sent up, and, glancing at it, the young lady said:
“You are Mr. Carter?”
“At your service, Miss Templin.”
“You come from the chief of police, I presume?”
“I have just arrived in the city and have had an urgent message from the chief asking me to call here.”
“Please be seated, Mr. Carter.”