“Yes, it’s a fair offer, Conroy,” said he, pretending to be impressed with it. “You know where the house is located, you say?”
“I do,” Conroy nodded. “I can take you straight to it.”
“Does Kennedy live there?”
“He is employed there. He is the only person living there just now. He is employed as a caretaker and chauffeur by the man who owns the place.”
“Do you know the man?”
“Sure I know him.”
“Who is he?”
“He’s the junior partner of a banking house, the one for which Kate worked for a time,” Conroy explained. “His name is David Mack. He’s a widower, and he has not occupied the Westchester house since his wife died. That was only a year ago. He keeps Kennedy there, however, and goes out occasionally. Kennedy probably is taking the risk of hiding the stolen child in the vacant house.”
“By Jove, that might be true,” said Nick. “Have you any idea, Conroy, that Mack himself is in this job?”
“No, no, he isn’t in it,” Conroy quickly protested. “He would have no hand in such business. David Mack is strictly on the square. Kennedy is only his hired man, you know, and is alone out there most of the time.”