“It is a trap,” said Nick, “and you may as well go home so as to be fit to-morrow.”
“Why do you say it is a trap?”
“Because that chap is not a reporter. How do I know? If he was a reporter he would have telephoned in something for the first edition the minute he saw the body, without waiting for anything more. Besides, what has he learned about the dead man or the circumstances of the murder?”
“But if it is a trap, why do you go?”
“Because, if it is a trap, it is set by the murderer or some of her confederates, and going with this young man will place me in touch with the gang.”
“But it is dangerous.”
“All my work is dangerous.”
“Why don’t you take officers with you?”
“I shall not be alone,” replied Nick significantly, and turned away with the red-headed young fellow.
As the detective and his young companion passed out of the square of light in front of the hotel, Maynard, standing irresolute at the window, saw two men who had been hidden in a stairway across Broadway leave their shelter and follow them. Alarmed at the occurrence, Maynard stepped out into the street and passed on in the direction taken by the detective, the reporter, and their pursuers.