“Before I go, Mrs. Clayton, may I trouble you for a glass of water,” he requested carelessly.
“Why, yes, certainly,” she replied, rising. “I will get it for you.”
“Thank you.”
Nick watched her sweep gracefully from the room.
Then, quickly stepping to the telephone, he hooded the mouth with his hand and called up his library. Within half a minute he had Chick on the wire, but he spoke only these words:
“No time for particulars. Go to the Westgate. Watch Doctor Guelpa.”
The answer came instantly:
“I’ve got you.”
Nick resumed his seat just as Mrs. Clayton was returning through the hall.
“It will be better, much better, if she never knows,” he said to himself.