“Yes, he could, but I don’t believe he will. I have no doubt he has thought of that plan, but, you see, the trouble is he wants to keep under cover. If he went to an ordinary doctor he might be asked embarrassing questions, such as how the stains came on his hands. This might lead to unpleasant results. No, Noddy wants to keep under cover, and we’ll respect his wishes, at least for a while.”
“We’ll put in the advertisement about you,” Mr. Newton went on, “that all cases are strictly confidential, and that no questions are asked. That will catch Noddy, and he’ll walk into our trap.”
“What will I do when I get him?” asked the chemist. “Preserve him in alcohol?”
“I think we’ll make no attempt to capture him,” said Mr. Newton. “That is, at first. If he calls at your laboratory use some of the preparation which you are to make, on his hands. Don’t make it very strong, and take only a little of the stain off. Tell him he will have to come again. In this way he can be induced to pay several visits to you.”
“In the meanwhile I can be working my end of the game. Have all the visits at night. Tell him you can treat him at no other time. That will give me a chance to be on hand. I’ll follow him when he leaves here, and I may be able to get on the track of the deed.”
“It sounds like a good scheme,” commented the chemist. “I’ll get right to work on the stain-removing mixture.”
“And I’ll look after the advertisement,” said Mr. Newton.
“Suppose a lot of people come to have stains removed?” suggested Mr. Hosfer. “What am I to do?”
“Why, remove the stains, of course,” replied Mr. Newton. “You may to be able to make a lot of money out of this.”
“I’ll lose a lot of valuable time,” said the chemist. “But never mind, I’ll do it to help you out.”