Nick did not reply, but he made a secret sign to the superintendent. 

 "You are at liberty, Mr. Jones," said Byrnes, calmly. "I regret that it was necessary to detain you so long." 

 "I have no complaint to make against you," said Jones. "It was that man's work, and he shall pay for it." 

 He scowled at Nick, and then, after bowing to the superintendent, walked out of the room with his wife on his arm. 

 "Shall I call a man?" asked Byrnes. 

 "If you please," said Nick. "My force is pretty busy." 

 "Musgrave!" said the superintendent. 

 A man appeared so suddenly that he seemed to come out of the wall. 

 "Shadow the couple that has just left here," said Byrnes. "You are under Mr. Carter's orders until dismissed by him." 

 Musgrave turned to Nick. 

 "I have no special instructions," said Nick, "except that you keep your eyes on the woman." 

 The officer saluted, and vanished almost as quickly as he had come in. 

 At half-past seven o'clock that evening Musgrave was on guard outside the flat, the address of which had been given to Nick by Jones. 

 An old man selling papers came along the street, calling "Extra!" in a cracked voice. 

 Musgrave bought a paper. 

 "Well," said the newsman, in Nick Carter's voice, "what have you to report?" 

 "From headquarters they went to an employment agency on Sixth avenue. They engaged a colored girl as a servant. 

 "They then came straight here, and the girl followed them. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have not been out since." 

 "Are you sure of that?" 

 "Perfectly. There is no way to get out of that house from the rear." 

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