"Yes, they ought to be here inside of an hour and a half."
"Fine!" commented Marsh. Then turning to Nels, he pulled out a bill and presented it.
"Nels," he said, "we've all got to go into the city. Somebody must watch this place while we're gone. You have a good gun there, so you can stick around until the police come."
"Sure—Aye watch."
"Come on," Marsh called, and the three men started out. The last thing Marsh heard as he went down the steps, was a voice murmuring, "He bane fine man."
Oak Street lay shadowy and deserted, as Marsh, accompanied by Morgan and Tierney, turned into it from Rush Street.
"Wait here for a minute," requested Marsh, as they stopped in front of the entrance to Hunt's building, and he moved toward the dark tradesmen's entrance. As he neared it, a man appeared from the shadows. They held a low-voiced conversation, and Marsh then returned to the others. When the door was opened, in answer to their ring, the three detectives climbed the stairs.
Hunt's man-servant stood at the door.
"Mr. Hunt in?" asked Marsh.
"Yes, sir," replied the man. "I think you were here before, sir."