“Not in the least,” replied the clerk slowly, with a look of perplexity growing on his face. “I can see now,” he added, “how mistaken I was in supposing that it was Mr. Townsend who left the hotel. I can’t understand, however, how I came to be so careless, for it is my duty to know what goes on here at night.”
“I presume that you did not notice the person who went out, except generally, and were deceived by the clothes worn,” said Nick.
“Of course that is it,” was the reply, “but all the same, I don’t make many mistakes like that. I couldn’t keep my job if I did.”
“And the person who engaged the room gave the name of Martin Haynes?” asked the detective.
“Yes, sir.”
“Register?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Any baggage?”
“No, sir,” replied the clerk. “He paid in advance for one night, and nothing was said about baggage.”