The question was an insolent one only in the words that Lynne used; not at all in the manner or the tone of using them; and he smiled engagingly while he asked the question.
But he might far better not have asked it, for there was something hidden behind the words which instantly put the detective on his guard, and which as suddenly determined him upon the course he would pursue thereafter.
Instead of resenting the words, he smiled back at Lynne, and replied:
“I came here at the request of Mr. Oaks, and in the interest of J. Cephas Lynne, who is dead, and who, if he could give directions now, would like to see justice done.� Nick turned then to the lawyer, and added:
“Perhaps you had better apply at once for letters of administration, Oaks.�
CHAPTER XIX.
SCENTING A PLOT.
When Nick Carter left the Wall Street office of the great lawyer he walked up Broadway to the Western Union Building, where he wrote and forwarded several telegrams, all of which were addressed to different localities in the State of Idaho.
That done he took the subway uptown and went directly to his own home, where, after entering his study, he summoned Chick and Patsy to him.
“Patsy,� he said, “you start for Idaho on the Twentieth Century at four this afternoon; and you, Chick, will take the trail of Mr. Carleton Lynne, now at the Mammoth, and you will report to me every move that he makes, no matter how unimportant it may appear to be.�
Each of the assistants nodded in reply, but neither of them made any audible remark.