“No, sir; he is not here, sir; that is what the trouble is. He seems to have disappeared entirely within the last few hours. I am greatly troubled, Mr. Carter, else I would not have presumed to call upon you.�
The detective smiled to himself, then he replied:
“Thomas, I am greatly afraid that you are nervous. Your master has disappeared, you tell me?�
“Gentlemen do not disappear from their own houses at midday, Thomas. Tell me exactly what has happened, and I will determine for myself whether it is necessary for me to go there.�
“You know, sir, that Mr. Lynne has not been out of the house—scarcely out of his own room—since the events of the other night, when that Red Mike came here and so nearly murdered him?â€�
“And you also; yes.�
“Well, sir, he is gone now, and I do not know where he has gone.�
Nick Carter permitted himself to chuckle.
“Possibly he has become tired of being kept in the house against his will, and has taken advantage of a temporary absence on your part, has dressed himself quietly, and gone out for a walk.�