"Yes, sir. I know who he is."
"Well, if they, or either of them, make you a call, you needn't volunteer any information, you understand."
"I understand. And – and if I do just as you tell me, will you get me out of this awful scrape?"
"You have told me the worst – so far as you are concerned?"
"Indeed I have, sir."
"Then I emphatically promise to see you through it."
"Oh! thank you, sir."
"You're heartily welcome to all I can do for you, my dear. And now I must leave you."
"I am sorry to have you go. When shall I see you again?"
"That I cannot tell; but if you are threatened with any danger, you may be sure I shall be on hand."
"You are very good, sir."
"I am glad you think so."
Then Old Spicer arose and walked to the door.
As he turned the knob he looked back and said:
"By the way, where does Chamberlain make it his home in the city?"
"He boards at 305 West Twelfth Street, and rooms at Hudson and Morton streets," was the answer.
"Thank you, my dear. And now I must really say good-day," and almost before the girl could repeat the words of leave-taking the great detective was gone.
CHAPTER XVII.
JIM TAYLOR IS ARRESTED
Old Spicer had hardly left the building when he was joined by Killett.
"Thank fortune you are here!" he exclaimed in a tone of relief. "There are three places that must be shadowed instantly.
"What places are they?" asked his friend.
"The house I have just left, where Cora Bell makes it her home, the boarding-house No. 305 West Twelfth Street, and the building at the corner of Hudson and Morton streets."
"What is the last?"
"The place where Chamberlain lodges."
"Good! Slip into this saloon, and I will see to the matter at once."
Old Spicer went into the place designated, and Killett hurried down the street.
In a few moments he returned, and after giving Old Spicer an account of what had passed between Taylor and the two burglars, he listened to the other's account of his interview with Cora.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, when the old man had finished, "there's just one thing for us to do to make this the neatest and most perfect job ever handled by detectives."
"Yes," nodded Old Spicer, "just one thing."
"And that is to discover Chamberlain's unknown friend."
"Exactly."
"It can be done."
"Of course."
"And we'll do it."
"To be sure we will."
"We must manage to drive Chamberlain to him, I suppose?"
"Perhaps he will go without driving."
"Right! the moment he is out of funds he will go to him for more."
"That's it."
"We ought to have Stark and Rouse looking after him."
"Where are they now?"
"They are busy with Taylor and those precious worthies, Hawks and Klinkhammer. By the way, when had we better gather them in?"
"The moment they have led us to the scoundrel who hired them to murder poor Charley Way."
"They have made an appointment with him to meet them in the city to-day, eh?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, we won't have long to wait."
"I hope not. Do your men know where to look for you, Adam?"
"Yes; and, by Jove! here comes one of them now."
"That's so; and it's Stark himself."