I thought it necessary to frighten him a little; so I sent up word that I was an officer of police, and he must come down instantly, or I should go up and fetch him.  In a few moments the actor made his appearance, terribly frightened.  Before I could say anything he began to pour out such a flood of questions and asseverations that I could not get a word in:  What did I want with him?  I had come to the wrong man; he hadn’t been doing anything, etc., etc.  ‘I don’t want you,’ I began—­but it was of no use, I could not stop him; his character was excellent, anybody would vouch for him; I ought to be more sure what I was about before I roused people from their beds at midnight, etc., etc.  His huddled words and apprehensive looks made me suspect there was something wrong with him; but it was no concern of mine then.  I seized him by the shoulder, and ordered him to be quiet.

‘Don’t utter another word,’ said I, ’except to answer my questions, or I’ll carry you off and lock you up.  I have not come to arrest you.  I only want to ask you a few questions.  Haven’t you a sister-in-law named Miss Kearney?’

‘Yes, what do you want with her?’

’I am not going to do her any harm.  I only want to know where she lives.’

‘Oh I she lives in ——­ street.’

‘Do you know the number?’

’Goodness, yes; it is number 34.  I have boarded there myself until only a little while ago.’

‘Indeed!’

‘Yes, I have got a dead-latch key somewhere about.’

‘The deuce you have!  Give it to me; it is just what I want.’

‘Give you a dead-latch key! a pretty notion!’

’I wouldn’t give it to any man—­not to all the detective squad in New York.’

’Look here, my friend, I am M——­, pretty well known in this town.  I have a good many opportunities in the course of my business to do people good turns, and not a few to do them ill turns.  It is a convenient vocation to pay off scores, particularly to persons of your sort.  If you will give me that key, I’ll make it worth your while the first chance I have.  If you don’t, you’ll be sorry; that’s all.”

I gave him a significant look as I concluded.  He looked me in the face a minute—­as if to see how much I meant, or if I suspected anything; then turned and ran up stairs.  In a few moments he came down, and handed me the key.  I took it with satisfaction.

‘Now,’ said I, ’you’ll have no objections to telling me where your sister-in-law’s room in the house is.’

’Third story, back room, second door to the left from the head of the stairs.’

‘Thank you, good night.’

We walked rapidly to ——­ street, and reaching the house, I stopped a moment to examine my pistols, by the street lamp, and then softly opened the door.  Clarke and I stepped in, and I shut the door.

Leaving my comrade in the hall, I crept noiselessly up stairs, and tapped at the door of the room.