His answers were straightforward enough, but they threw little light upon the affair.

The only subject which he refused to discuss was the whereabouts of his wife.  When questioned about her, he invariably declined to speak.

“She’s gone on a little pleasure trip,” he said, “and I want her to enjoy it.  This affair will be all over when she gets back.  She’ll never hear of it, where she is, and that’s as it should be.”

Nick returned to his house, where he was informed that a visitor was waiting for him.

He found a gentleman somewhat under forty years of age, and apparently in prosperous circumstances, pacing the study floor.

The visitor was evidently greatly excited about something, for his hands trembled and he started nervously when Nick entered.

“Mr. Carter,” he said, anxiously, “can I trust you fully?”

Nick laughed.

“I shan’t do anything to prevent it,” he said.

“Will you swear to keep what I shall tell you a secret?”

“No, sir; I will not.”

The man made a despairing gesture.

“I supposed that your business was always strictly confidential,” he said.

“So it is, but I take no oaths.”

“I didn’t mean that exactly, but—­but—­”

The man hesitated, stammered, and was unable to proceed.

“Come, sir,” said Nick; “be calm.  Tell me plainly what you want me to do for you.”

“It isn’t for me; it’s for a—­for a friend of mine.”

“Very well; what can I do for your friend?”

“He is accused of a terrible crime, of which he is entirely innocent.  I want you to save him.”

“I have been asked to do that many times.”

“And you have always succeeded?”

“Oh, no; in several cases the persons have been hanged.”

The visitor shuddered violently.

“I had heard,” he said, “that you never failed to find the guilty persons and to save the innocent.”

“That is the truth.  It has been my good fortune to leave no case unsettled.”

“But you said that these innocent persons had been hanged.”

“They were hanged,” said Nick, “but they were not innocent.  Their friends assured me that the persons were entirely guiltless, but it was not true.

“And therefore,” Nick continued, looking straight into the man’s eyes, “I should advise you to be very sure of your friend’s innocence before you put the case in my hands.”

The visitor looked very much relieved.

“I’m perfectly sure of it,” he cried.  “My friend had nothing to do with this case.”

“I’m glad to hear it.  Who is he?”

“The man who has been arrested in this restaurant murder case.”

“John Jones?”

“That is the name he has given to the police.”

“But isn’t that his right name?”

“I—­I don’t know,” stammered the visitor.