Patsy obeyed, without replying.
“Please tell me at once, Mr. Carter,” Mina pleaded. “Do you think that——”
“That Arthur Gordon wrote it?” Nick interposed, turning to her.
“Yes.”
“Frankly, Miss Strickland, I do not.”
“Oh, thank Heaven for that!” cried the girl. “Your opinion is worth more to me than that of all the world. It must be, then, that he is the victim of[Pg 5]——”
“Stop a moment,” Nick again interrupted. “My opinion will be worth more after I know all of the circumstances. It now is based only upon the fact that all this is very unlike Arthur Gordon.”
“It is, indeed.”
“Let me question you. That will be the quickest way to bring out the salient points,” said Nick. “Answer as briefly as possible. You received the letter this morning?”
“Yes, sir,” said Mina, eager to proceed.