of that evening we were walking toward the Grand Central Depot.

"We had dined in our flat. The people who say they saw us go out tell
the truth.

"But we came back. It was my intention to take an afternoon train, but I
decided to wait.

"So we came back and had dinner. Nobody saw us go in or out of the flat.

"After dinner we walked to the depot, and I took the eight-ten train for
my home in Maysville, ten miles from Albany.

"I arrived in Albany Wednesday morning, and remained there with friends
throughout the day and night. Then I went to Maysville, where I heard
the news, and came back at once."

The superintendent touched his bell. Two minutes later John Jones was
brought into the room.

"Amy!" exclaimed he. "How came you here?"

He ran up to her, and they greeted each other affectionately. The
woman, who had controlled herself up to this point, burst into tears.
Jones turned in wrath toward Nick.

"Haven't we had enough of this infernal nonsense?" he exclaimed. "You
have raised the devil with my business and scared my wife into a fit.
Now let me out, and arrest the Ameer of Afghanistan. He had more to do
with this affair than I did."

Nick did not reply, but he made a secret sign to the superintendent.

"You are at liberty, Mr. Jones," said Byrnes, calmly. "I regret that it
was necessary to detain you so long."

"I have no complaint to make against you," said Jones. "It was that
man's work, and he shall pay for it."

He scowled at Nick, and then, after bowing to the superintendent, walked
out of the room with his wife on his arm.

"Shall I call a man?" asked Byrnes.

"If you please," said Nick. "My force is pretty busy."

"Musgrave!" said the superintendent.

A man appeared so suddenly that he seemed to come out of the wall.

"Shadow the couple that has just left here," said Byrnes. "You are under
Mr. Carter's orders until dismissed by him."

Musgrave turned to Nick.

"I have no special instructions," said Nick, "except that you keep your
eyes on the woman."

The officer saluted, and vanished almost as quickly as he had come in.

At half-past seven o'clock that evening Musgrave was on guard outside
the flat, the address of which had been given to Nick by Jones.

An old man selling papers came along the street, calling "Extra!" in a
cracked voice.

Musgrave bought a paper.

"Well," said the newsman, in Nick Carter's voice, "what have you to
report?"

"From headquarters they went to