Transcriber’s Notes:

The original spelling, hyphenation, and punctuation have been retained, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.

For convenience, a table of contents, which is not present in the original, has been included.



CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I.AN INQUISITIVE CLERK.[5]
II.MODERN HIGHWAYMEN.[14]
III.NICK CARTER HELD UP.[24]
IV.THE ESCAPE.[35]
V.THE HOUSE IN LAUREL ROAD.[46]
VI.MADAME VICTORIA.[62]
VII.THE DEEPER MYSTERY.[76]
VIII.UNDER THE SURFACE.[89]
IX.BODY AND LIMBS.[103]
X.THE ANCHOR TO WINDWARD.[116]
XI.THE INCENTIVE TO TREACHERY.[126]
XII.THE ROAD TO CANTON.[133]
XIII.CLOSE QUARTERS.[147]
XIV.SHADOWS AND SHADOWED.[158]
XV.ON NICK’S TRAIL.[169]
XVI.A TERRIBLE PREDICAMENT.[182]
XVII.A CRISIS.[194]
XVIII.A LAST RESORT.[205]
XIX.NICK CARTER’S ESCAPE.[215]