“Willingly, my boy, and meantime I’ll not bother my brains about it, because I know what Nick Carter cannot fathom in a case like this will never be found out.”
“Thank you. Now, we will call in and question our first witness.”
“Who will it be? the elder of the two men—the one who must have been here first after the tragedy or when it occurred?[{13}]”
“No, I think I’ll first hear what the younger and more fashionably dressed one of the two has to tell. I’ll call him in.”
So saying, Nick went to the dividing door, opened it, and beckoned to the man who had preceded him up the stairs only a few seconds to the scene of the tragedy.
The young man entered the rear office, plainly laboring under great excitement. Nick closed and locked the door, invited his witness to take a seat, and lost no time in beginning his examination.
CHAPTER III.
WHAT THE CONFIDENTIAL CLERK KNEW.
“In order to get down to the facts in this case,” began Nick, addressing the young man, “it will be necessary to apply for information to those who are supposed to be in possession of the knowledge we seek. We have, therefore, called you in first to set us on the way in our inquiry.”
“I am ready to answer any question which it is in my power to do?” responded the young man, trying hard to repress his nervousness.
“What is your name?”