“Why, Thomas,� he said, “did he get you?�
“No, sir, but it was a close call, for all that. A mighty close call. Took the top off’n my left ear, sir, and the other bullet took some of the bark off’n me just above the ear. But I’m none the worse for it, sir.�
Nick, who had in the meantime been examining the wounded shoulder which proved to have received no more than a flesh wound, and who was now binding the slight abrasion of the skin, asked:
“What was it all about, Lynne? Just a burglar, who——â€�
“More than that, Carter,� was the reply, before the detective could complete the question. “It was one of my old Klondike acquaintances; one who followed Carroll here, and who came here to-night to ask me for two million dollars. Gee, but I’m sorry he got away!�
“Who was he?—and what?â€�
“Red Mike, by name. He used to be called the Bad Man of Nome, once upon a time.�
“He came here to ask you for what?�
“Two millions, no less; and he as good as admitted that he was spurred to the effort by an old acquaintance of yours.�
“Do you mean—who do you mean, Lynne?â€�