She took Nick to Godard’s vacant house, of which she had the key, and they entered together.
Then Nick became more watchful. The empty rooms and bare floors did not surprise him, for he knew that Godard had moved; but there was a possibility of being assailed by hidden foes, and Nick slipped his revolver into his side pocket, unobserved.
He was, too, more than ever mystified. Knowing that Belle Braddon could not possibly give him any clue to Flood, he could not imagine what design existed under her pretensions. He was resolved to learn, however—let come what might.
“Come up-stairs,” said Belle, after locking the street door. “This is a roundabout way, but it wouldn’t have done to enter Flood’s house direct.”
“Are you going in there?”
“Yes,” nodded Belle. “That’s where we shall find him. He has a secret hiding-place in there. Tread lightly on these bare floors lest the sound reaches and alarms him. Both houses are vacant, and he should be alone there at this hour.”
“Good enough,” growled Nick quietly; “I’m with you.”
“Into this room, Detective Carter!”
Nick followed her into one of the side chambers, and the girl turned briefly to face him.
“Now be very quiet,” she said softly, without the slightest sign of nervousness or apprehension. “I’m going to let you into one of the secrets of these two houses. As a matter of fact, Detective Carter, both of them are owned by Moses Flood. But my uncle, who was employed by him, has been occupying this one.”