The Great Spy System | Page 6

it was indeed you. Finding that I was not mistaken, I have waited to
see you."
"That is kind of you, senator," replied the detective.
"Fact is, I really wished to see you, Carter."
"Yes? That is kinder still."
"I wonder if I would be trespassing on private grounds if I asked why
you are here, Mr. Carter? I don't want to be impertinent, but if it
happens to be anything about that other affair in which we were
actually interested-"

"I am assured, senator, that I may rely upon your discretion, so I will
admit that it is."
"I guessed it, Carter."
"Did you? Why?"
"Because I happen to know that Mustushimi is still in the city of
Washington."
"Are you sure of that?"
"Yes."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I have seen him."
"When?"
"Not an hour ago; in fact, only a few minutes before I discovered your
name on the register of this hotel."
"That was rather an odd coincidence, senator," said the detective dryly.
"Yes; if it was a coincidence-which I am inclined to doubt."
"Why?"
"Because it struck me that my seeing him and hearing of your presence
at the same time would argue that he was around this neighborhood
because he had been told of your arrival."
"I think there is no doubt of that. Where did you see him?"
"I almost ran into him directly in front of the Lafayette Square opera
house."
"At what time, if you can tell me exactly?"

"An hour and a quarter ago."
The detective nodded. He knew that it was at the time when he was
with the President.
"The fact is, Carter," continued the senator, "the sight of him brought
you to my mind, and I came over here at once, purposely to ascertain if
you were in town, if I could do so. I saw your name on the register, and
then I remained here until your return to warn you."
"To warn me of what, senator?"
"I think that fellow would put you out of business if he had half a
chance, and you may be sure that he will seek the chance."
"I haven't any doubt of that."
"I hope you'll be on your guard, Carter."
"I shall try to be so."
"And, of course, if there is anything that I can do to assist you, you can
command me at any time. You know that."
"Yes. Senator?"
"Well?"
"Don't you think that you stand in some danger from Mustushimi,
yourself?"
"I have never thought much about it, to tell the truth."
"If you saw and recognized him in front of the operahouse, it is safe to
say that he also saw and recognized you."
"Without doubt."
"And realized that you had recognized him."

"Possibly."
"And therefore set one of his men upon you to follow you and ascertain
where you went. Consequently, he knew that you came here, looked at
the register, found my name, and then composed yourself to await my
arrival, in order that you might tell me what you knew."
"Well?"
"Also, that at this very moment, somewhere around here, he or one of
his men is watching us, and one of his lip-reading experts is probably at
this moment studying everything that I say."
"And what I say, as well, eh?" laughed the senator.
"Doubtless."
"Pardon me, Carter, but you are seated facing that window, exactly as if
you wished the spies of that man to know what you are talking about."
"I do."
"Eh?"
"I am taking this method of warning Mustushimi that I am here after
him, and that I am going to get him, too. I am taking this opportunity to
send word to him, through his spy who is now reading from the motion
of my lips all that I am saying, that I have no doubt that he will attempt
to assassinate me in some manner so that it will appear to be an
accident, but he must remember that I was not brought into the world to
be put to death by such as he."
"Upon my word, Carter, you are strange tonight!"
"No. I am sending a message to Mustushimi. Out yonder, at the
opposite side of Connecticut Avenue, there stands a man who looks
like a Frenchman, who is one of Mustushimi's spies. He reads what I
am saying now and he is getting nervous. He is only a common
scoundrel, and coward at that-"

Nick broke off into a hearty laugh, and the senator stared.
"What are you laughing at?" he demanded.
"I was laughing at the fellow over there-the one I referred to."
"What did he do?"
"When he found that I was talking to him instead of to you-for that is
what I was doing-he got madder and madder, and when