Nick telephoned to headquarters before he started out, as he had told Chick he would do, and so when he presented himself at the desk of the great apartment house he merely announced that he was sent there from headquarters—and gave his name.
Please remember that in appearance he did not at all resemble the man who had applied at that same desk at half-past eleven the preceding night.
“There are half a dozen men here from headquarters, even now,� the clerk told him; but Nick only nodded his head to that statement, and asked to see the house directory.
It was shown to him—a book taken from the safe, which contained the names and the numbers of the apartments occupied by each one of them, of every person—man, woman, and child—in the house.
He went over them without comment. There was not one there that suggested anything to him; but as he was in the act of returning the book to the day clerk he withheld it for a moment, and said:
“Point out to me, please, the names of your latest arrived guests—and begin with the very latest, informing me as you indicate the names the time of arrival here.â€�
“You will observe that there is not a vacant apartment in the building,� said the man behind the desk.
“Yes,� replied the detective.
“Well, with the exception of one gentleman, there is nobody in this list who has not lived here two years, or more. Here is the name—Henry Carroll.â€�
“Mr. Carroll seems to live alone; also to occupy rather a large apartment for a man who does live alone,� was Nick’s comment.