Nick emphasized his reply by thumping his desk with his knuckles.
“Clayton either is guilty, or he is not,” said he. “I feel sure he is not. If I am right, and I’m going to bank the limit on it, he was impersonated by some one. You must admit that.”
“Certainly,” Chick allowed. “That goes without saying.”
“It is confirmed, moreover, by what occurred three months ago.”
“Clayton’s abduction?”
“Yes.”
“How do you now size it up?”
“It’s as plain as twice two,” said Nick. “That job was pulled off only to pave the way for this one. Clayton was abducted to be studied, that his voice, manner, facial expressions, every outside detail of him, in fact, might be perfectly imitated. You remember, Chick, that he sensed the frequent and stealthy espionage of some person whom he did not see.”
“Yes, indeed, I remember.”
“That unknown spy, take it from me, was the crook who to-day impersonated Clayton,” Nick added.