Nick drew Patsy more closely into the shadow of the steps by which they were standing. 

 A carriage rumbled over the pavement and stopped before the door of Gaspard's lodging-house. 

 "Upon my word," said Nick, "it's my old friend Harrigan on the box. The way people keep bobbing up in this case is something wonderful." 

 "Perhaps the woman's in the cab," whispered Patsy. 

 On the contrary, the cab was empty. 

 Harrigan got off the box and rang the bell. 

 Nick heard him ask for Gaspard Lebeau. Gaspard was summoned. 

 "I've two trunks for you," said Harrigan. 

 "For me?" asked Gaspard. 

 "Yes; a young woman hired me to bring them, and she said it would be all right. You'd pay the price." 

 "What sort of a woman?" 

 "A very gallus French siren with a big white hat and a black plume as long as the tail of me horse." 

 "All right," said Gaspard, promptly; "bring in the trunks." 

 They were carried up the stairs to Gaspard's room. 

 Harrigan mounted the box and drove away. 

 "Follow him," said Nick. "Bring him back here in about half an hour." 

 Patsy darted away in pursuit of the cab. 

 Nick walked up to the door of Gaspard's house and rang the bell. 

 He was directed to the Frenchman's room. 

 Gaspard was examining the two trunks. He looked very much embarrassed at the sight of Nick. 

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