As Edith went out, Nick sat down to his paper again, but he had read a short time only when the servant entered with a card, saying that a caller was in the parlor.
He read the card. The name on it was Mr. Alpheus Cary.
Bidding the servant to tell the gentleman that Mr. Carter was engaged for the present, but would see him presently, he continued to read his paper.
His intention was not to see his caller until his aids should arrive, for he meant that Chick should be present at the interview, and Patsy should shadow the caller when he left.
He was thus engaged when Edith returned.
She bore in her hand a card and note, and, as she entered the room, she was about to speak, but Nick checked her with a gesture.
She handed Nick the card and note. Reading the card, Nick looked up with surprise and compared it with one he had just received. It was the same exactly.
Tearing open the note, he read:
“Dear Mr. Carter: I beg you will call on me at the Zetler Bank, on a matter of importance, at your earliest convenience. I do not call on you for the reason that I fear the call would become known to a person I desire to keep in the dark. Respectfully,
Alpheus Cary.”
“Where did you get these?” whispered Nick.