tly to Mike Grinnel's they
took their way to police headquarters, where, as he knew would be the
case, he found the inspector.

"Inspector," he said, "I noticed in the paper yesterday morning that
Curly John had been arrested by one of your men and brought to
headquarters on suspicion of being connected with that Liverpool bank
robbery three months ago."

"That's correct," said the inspector. "Do you know anything about the
case?"

"Not a thing in the world," said Nick, laughing; "but I want to use
Curly John. I want to use him very badly. I want you to lend him to me
for to-night, if you will."

The inspector could only stare his amazement. He had known Nick Carter a
good many years, but never before had he received a request of this kind
from him.

"I guess you will have to say that again, and say it slow, Nick; I don't
think I understand you."

The detective laughed heartily. Then he began at the beginning and told
first about the letter he had received from Black Madge containing the
threats, and then one by one related the incidents that had happened to
him and to his household during the week that was past. In conclusion,
he said:

"Now, inspector, I am convinced that if Black Madge is in the city of
New York, she is now at this very moment seated at one of the tables at
Mike Grinnel's place. I want to go there to find out. If she is there I
want to know it. If she is there and I can manage to find out where she
goes when she leaves there, that is all I care to know to-night."

"But how can Curly help you?" asked the inspector.

"Curly can help me in this way: I know something about his reputation
and his career. I came across him once several years ago in reference to
an old case of mine with which he had nothing to do, but concerning
which he gave me some valuable information. I found that Curly John was
all right at that time, and, as people of his profession regard it,
pretty much on the square. I want you, if you will, to ring the bell
and order him brought up here and let me talk to him."

"That's easy," said the inspector, and he did as requested.

Five minutes later when Curly John entered the room he paused when he
was just inside of the door, and fixed his eyes intently upon Nick
Carter, and then, with scarcely a glance at the inspector, who had
summoned him, he addressed himself directly to the detective.

"I know you," he said. "I remember you perfectly well, Mr. Carter, and I
wouldn't