They were, indeed, the garments of the suspected girl.
All of them were soiled and—red with blood.
CHAPTER IV.
CHICK FORMS A THEORY.
It was eleven o’clock when Chick Carter, following the telephone instructions from Nick, entered Arthur Gordon’s business quarters in Wall Street to begin an investigation. He saw at once that the several clerks in the[Pg 14] latticed inclosure were somewhat excited. Business appeared to have been suspended.
Chick found Mr. Beckwith in Gordon’s private office, adjoining the business inclosure, a man well in the sixties and of a nervous temperament.
“Thank Heaven, you have arrived, Mr. Carter,” said he, when Chick entered and introduced himself. “This is terrible, terrible! Gordon mysteriously missing. Miss Perrot gone. The vault robbed of——”
“Hold your horses, Mr. Beckwith,” Chick coolly interrupted, after closing the office door. “There is nothing in going over the traces. Nick has told me most of the circumstances, as far as known. Calm yourself, and answer my questions.”
“Well, well, I will try. But there is nothing I can tell you.”
“Don’t be so sure of that.”
“Sit down, then. Come on with your questions!”