"I'll be there, then. But I want to be sure that I'll be safe. You know I'm taking a chance, going alone. I can't do anything else, but — " The voice stopped, as though the speaker might be listening to an interruption from the other end.
When Chadwick spoke again, it was with the tone of a man who has been somewhat reassured.
"You're protecting me positively, then. Well, I'll be there. I know the way. Midnight."
The conversation ended. Harry Vincent hurried back toward his own apartment. He waited behind a corner until he saw young Chadwick appear and start for the elevator. Then Harry descended by the stairway.
Chadwick was leaving the lobby when Harry reached the ground floor. Harry knew his immediate destination. Chadwick's car was outside the apartment.
The man was driving away when Harry reached the street and clambered into his own coupe. He saw the taillight of Chadwick's car as it turned a corner. Harry followed in pursuit.
Chadwick's car reached a trafficked street. It was not difficult to trail it.
Harry was thinking deeply as he kept pace behind the car in front. He knew something of Chadwick's troubles, but not enough.
So far as his uncle's death was concerned, Chadwick had a perfect alibi. But the fact that he had been quizzed so closely by the county detective made it appear as though there might be a plot against him. Blackmail was afoot, Harry decided. Perhaps old Grant Chadwick had been killed because he would not meet demands. Perhaps the heritage which Denby Chadwick had received was putting him in hot water also.
Harry remembered the fiendish plan that had operated against Stuart Bruxton. If the same men were after Denby Chadwick, there would certainly be danger.