Naturally, the uncle was Nick Carter, and the two detectives were to meet Belle Braddon at the Waldorf the following afternoon.
At ten o’clock next morning Nick received a telegram from Green. It contained only two words:
“Brace on!”
Nick laughed exultingly when he read it, and passed it to Chick, the two being seated in Nick’s office.
“That does settle it,” declared the latter. “Godard is expecting us, and has given the humpback instructions about the cues.”
“Sure thing!” cried Chick. “Belle Braddon has fallen into the net I have spread for her, and Godard expects to find an easy mark in my cattle-raising uncle from Dakota.”
“It is Godard who will be the easy mark!” Nick grimly rejoined. “One thing is sure!”
“What’s that?”
“Belle Braddon will never dream that your uncle is Nick Carter.”
“Well, hardly,” laughed Chick. “She is probably dead sure that you are down and out by this time.”