The Great Spy System | Page 6

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 I told him he was a coward, he shook his fist at me."
"At least, Carter, you will know him the next time you see him."
"Oh, I am not so sure of that. He is a chameleon who can change his appearance as well as his colors. A scoundrel like that, who will serve under any flag, isn't fit to live. But as you say, I think I will know him again -in fact, senator, now that I think of it, I believe that I will have an opportunity to see him close by, and to talk with him, too, presently."
"You do? How?"
"I will tell you that a little later, senator."
"Is he there yet?"
"Yes."
"I should think he would go away now that he knows he has been discovered."
"Oh, no; he knows that he would have ample time to escape, if I should leave my chair to go over there after him. He is bound to stay there as long as he can read, from the movement of my lips, what I am saying."
"But how are you going to catch him so that you can talk with him, as you suggested?"
"As I said before, I will tell you that later on. Now, let us return to yourself. We were discussing yourself a moment ago, weren't we?"
"Yes."
"I was referring to the fact that you stand in some danger, senator. I think I am correct about it too. It would be well for