“It might, perhaps, if I had written my full name—Nicholas Carter,” he interposed, bowing and smiling.
“Nicholas Carter!” gasped Edna, staring at him. “Not the famous New York detective?”
“Well, yes, thanking you for the complimentary adjective.”
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Edna amazedly. “Are you a wizard? Do you ride on the wind? How did you get here so quickly?”
“Get here?” queried Carter, though he at once guessed the truth. “You were expecting me then?”
“Well, not so quickly, of course,” said the girl. “But I telegraphed to you no less than an hour ago, asking you to come immediately to Madison. I did not suppose you could cover hundreds of miles in as many seconds. I thought when the bell rang that you had wired back, and this name on the card meant nothing to me. Really, Mr. Carter, I am quite mystified.”
Nick Carter laughed pleasantly, and replied:
“I will presently explain. Why, may I ask, did you send for me to come to Madison?”
“I want you to investigate a very mysterious murder,” Edna now earnestly explained. “A very dear friend of mine is suspected and is under arrest. I am sure he is innocent, however, absolutely sure; but I can see no way to prove it. I want you to find a way. Money is no object, Mr. Carter, for he is very dear to me and——”
“Pardon.” Nick checked her more gravely. “It would be unkind for me to leave you in the dark and let you continue to speak so feelingly. I know all about your friend. I left him only a few minutes ago. Like you, too, I know that he is innocent. I already am at work to prove it, Miss Thurlow, and Paulding has from the first been acting under my instructions.”