ghted.

It was in a northern suburb of New York, a section not yet much
encroached upon by the spreading city, and the dwelling owned and
occupied by Rufus Venner was that in which three generations of his
family had lived and died.

It was a square, old house of brick, set fifty yards from the suburban
street, and was flanked in either direction by extensive, ill-kept
grounds, made damp and dark by the huge, old trees, which nearly covered
the estate.

Back of the house, and off to one side, was a large wooden stable, fast
running to ruin; while a rusty iron fence, falling to fragments in
places, skirted the dismal grounds in front.

Beyond the trees, far to the rear, could be seen the roof and chimneys
of an old, wooden mansion, fronting on another street, and having a very
similar environment. There, too, the house and grounds were running to
ruin and decay, both places being but crumbling monuments of former
opulence and grandeur.

It was upon this scene that Nick Carter and Chick arrived just before
midnight, having left their carriage at a remote corner, to await their
return.

"Yonder is Venner's house, Chick," said Nick, as they picked their way
along the unpaved sidewalk. "We'll vault this iron fence and steal
across the grounds."

"It doesn't look much as if our quarry was there," observed Chick, as
they scaled the fence.

"Their deeds are dark, and like seeks like," replied Nick. "They now may
be making darkness their cover."

"Not a light in the house, is there?"

"None visible from this side. We'll steal between the house and stable,
and have a look at the opposite elevation."

"Not much danger of being seen. It's as dark as a nigger's pocket under
these trees."

"So much the better in case anyone is watching."

"Who lives here with Venner?"

"Only an elderly housekeeper, of whom I don't hear anything very good,"
replied Nick. "Venner is here but part of the time, I am told. In fact,
I don't quite fathom his habits."

"Why so?"

"I can't learn what takes him from home so much of the time. He does not
leave the city, nor patronize any hotel that I can discover, yet he
frequently is away from this house overnight."

"Perhaps he secretly keeps another house, and is leading a double life."

"Possibly," admitted Nick. "He is on friendly terms with numerous women,
I learn, and other quarters may be essential to designs of some kind.
Quietly, now, and we'll slip across the back lawn."

L