He took a cold plunge and a brisk rubdown with a Turkish towel. When he appeared at the office of the inspector, that official was more than astonished to see him.
He had hardly supposed that Nick would be up and ready for work so early after the hard work he had done the day before.
“Have you read the papers this morning?” the inspector asked, a moment later.
“No, I have not,” responded the detective. “What is in them?”
“It is an account which makes you a great hero.”
“Oh, I guess it’s a young fellow’s story of a little scrimmage I had near my house last night. I hope he said nothing about the case I have been working on.”
“No, he has not printed a word about it.”
“Well, then, when I clear the Astoria mystery I shall take good care that he has the story first.”
“By the way,” asked the inspector, “do you know that a man named Hall was brought here this morning?”
“No, I did not, but I am very glad to hear it. He was one of the men who tried to kill me last night.