Disheartened and disappointed, Wise went back to Headland House only to find that Doctor Varian had arrived during his absence.
The detective was glad to have him to talk to, for it promised at least a fresh viewpoint to be considered.
“I admit, Doctor Varian,” Wise said frankly, as the two confabbed in the Varian library, “I have no theory that will fit this case at all. I have solved many mysteries, I have found many criminals, but never before have I struck a case so absolutely devoid of even an imaginary solution. Granting a criminal that desired to bring disaster to the Varian family, why should he want to abduct Lawrence North?”
“Perhaps North knew something incriminating to him,” suggested the doctor.
“But that’s purely supposition, there’s no fact to prove it, or anything like it. As a start, suppose we assume a kidnapper of Betty Varian. Although, even before that, we have to assume a secret entrance into this house.”
“That, I think, we must assume,” said Varian.
“It seems so,—yet, if you knew how hard I’ve hunted for one! Well, then, assume a kidnapper, who, for the sake of ransom, abducts Betty Varian,——”
“And kills her father?”
“And kills her father, who interrupted the abduction.”
“Good enough, so far, but what about North?”