"I know you," he said. "I remember you perfectly well, Mr. Carter, and I wouldn't be afraid to bet that it was you that sent for me right now. I hope you've come to get me out, for I give you my word that I know no more about that Liverpool crib-cracking business than you do, and that's what they're holding me for just now."
"Curly," said Nick, "you gave me some assistance once in a case I had after I assured you that you would not betray a pal in doing it, and that I would do a certain favor for you afterward. Did I keep my word with you?"
"You kept it for fair, Mr. Carter. I ain't forgot it, neither."
"Well, Curly, I have come here to-night to get you to do another favor for me, but first answer me one question."
"Do they let you in at Mike Grinnel's Sunday night prayer meetings?"
"If you were at liberty at this minute, isn't that the first place you would point for?"
"And you would have no trouble in getting inside?"
"If the inspector will consent to let you go will you take me there--me and this young man beside me, who is my assistant--on condition that I make you a solemn promise that I will make no arrest while there; that I will in no way interfere with Grinnel's business, or with any of his customers who are there, and that unless you reveal the fact yourself it will never be known that I was inside the place?"
Curly John scratched his head in perplexity.
"That's a pretty big contract you ask of me, Mr. Carter," he said. "What's the game?"
"The game is, Curly, that I am very anxious to find out if a certain person is in the city. If that person is in the city that person will be at Grinnel's to-night, I know."
"And suppose, Mr. Carter, that person is at Grinnel's to-night, what do you expect to do to that person?"
"To use your own words," replied Nick, "not the least thing in the world."
"I have already told you that. I want to find out if that person is in the city."
"Are you giving me this on the square?" asked Curly John.
"You nor that chap over there who is with you?"
"Neither of us. You have my word for that."
"Well, what about what's to come after it? Do you intend to follow that person down and do the arresting afterward?"
"I will promise you, Curly, that there shall be no arrest of any kind or of any person arising out of the visit to Grinnel's place to-night within twenty-four hours from this moment."