g such of the ilk as they happened to meet.
Such acquaintances might be of value later in the game.

When Chick left the house, about two hours after the interview with
Nick, he had his traveling bag in his hand, and he went direct to the
railway station, where he took a train for the West--for a city far
beyond the line of the road upon which Nick Carter's campaign was to be
worked out. It was his intention to start from there.

Ten-Ichi took his departure a little sooner than Chick, and he was
dressed as usual, also. Outside the house, on the curb, he stopped for a
few moments, and appeared to be thinking; and then he started down the
street on foot, and disappeared.

Patsy was the last to go, except the chief himself, who was smilingly
watching these departures from an upper window of the house. He had said
no more than he did to them purposely, for he was curious to see how
each would go about it. He knew that each one of his assistants was
entirely proficient in his way, but he also knew that each had a way of
his own for doing things.

When Patsy left the house he also hesitated in front of it for a moment;
and then he walked rapidly away up the street, and disappeared.

And that was all that Nick cared to see; he wished to feel assured that
each had departed on his own hook, and that it was their intention to
work singly. He had left the map for them to study in the library after
he left them alone together, and he had no doubt that each would be
fully competent to find the place of appointment when the time should
come.

He was the last to leave the house, of course. There were many
directions to give before he finally took his departure. Joseph had to
know how to account for his absence from home to those who might inquire
too particularly about him; and the absence of the three assistants had
to be accounted for also.

Having arranged that, and provided himself with everything which he
regarded as needful, he selected one of his own disguises--one that he
was fond of, and which will appear more particularly later on, and with
that in a small satchel which he expected ultimately to rid himself of,
he went out, and away also.

And from that moment we will skip to the time of the opening paragraphs
of this story, which was two weeks and one day later--to the time when
we behold the camp fire made of railway ties, with the four hoboes
grouped around it, having enjoyed their evening meal and now ready to