CHAPTER XLV.
COMPARING NOTES.
It was not until dusk that Nick Carter left the Gillespie house, and when he did so, it was on foot. He had not gone more than a block or so, however, before he hailed a passing taxi, and ordered the chauffeur to drive to a certain corner of Madison Avenue. The corner named was only a block from his own house.
Some hours had passed since Nick had read the letter which revealed the whereabouts of the real Chester J. Gillespie, but he had been in no hurry to act. For one thing, he wished to give the scoundrel a sense of security in this new and climax-capping adventure.
Nick was still disguised as Gillespie, but he was wearing a golf cap, which he had pulled down over his eyes, and a light overcoat, with upturned collar. His purpose was to get in touch with his assistant in one way or another, and his only anxiety concerned the possibility that Gordon had already got rid of Chick.
Fortunately, that was not the case, and, after a wait of no more than half or three-quarters of an hour, the young detective left the house, and unconsciously approached his chief, who was lounging at the corner.
As he passed Nick, the latter said quietly: “Go around the corner and wait for me.”
Chick stiffened slightly at the well-known voice, but that was the only sign of surprise he gave. With a grunt and a nod, he turned about at right angles into the side street, and along this Nick presently followed him.
A short distance beyond the corner, well out of sight from Nick’s house, Chick paused, and there his chief overtook him.