He shifted both of his revolvers to the side pockets of his sack coat, then crept from his concealment and peered cautiously through a lower corner of the window.
He saw and recognized Margate.
He saw Ardley with his hand on the long iron lever.
He saw Dugan, Conroy, and Morley, all of them forming so ominous a picture that Patsy instantly decided that there was more doing than he had anticipated. He could not hear what Margate was saying, however, who then was talking with Toulon, and he now went a step farther. He drew both revolvers and crept around to the open door through which Toulon had entered the building.
Patsy had arrived too late, nevertheless, to hear how Toulon had explained his unexpected return, that he had thought it necessary to report what Nick had said to him the previous night, denoting that he might have incurred the detective’s suspicion.
“It’s no use talking, Mr. Margate, I’ve got a scare on,” he was saying, when Patsy paused outside of the open door. “I went into this job under protest, you know, and only because you said it would be soft walking. I want to bolt, and I’m going to after you pay me what you agreed. I’ve got a scare——”
“What are you afraid of?” Margate demanded, interrupting.
“Well, I know what it means to be up against Nick Carter,” frowned Toulon. “He’s the worst ever, and likely to——”
“Stop a bit!” snapped Margate, with a scornful gesture. “Do you know where Nick Carter is at this moment?”
“No. Do you?” gasped Toulon, staring.