“You’d better cut it all out,” Nick heard him say. “According to your own story, things are getting mixed.”
Carrie whispered something which the detective could not hear. Then the cashier said:
“Like a wild man. Getting tired of waiting, I guess.”
Another whisper from the girl.
“No, he has not been down here. Afraid, I guess. You keep out of it.”
The girl bent closer, and whispered at length.
“I’ll take the message,” said the cashier next.
Nick paid his bill and left the place. The two watchers were still on the opposite side of the street.
As soon as Nick passed the square of light in front of the restaurant, he turned into a stairway which led to the upper part of the building, which was only three stories in height and without an elevator. The hallway was not lighted, and, as soon as the detective stepped inside, he was in darkness, broken only by a dim light coming through a transom over a door connecting with the restaurant.