“Quite likely, Patsy, in view of what Danny discovered.”
“Gee whiz! things are shaping up,” said Patsy, laughing. “I begin to think you are right, chief.”
“Let’s see, now, in how far this is confirmed by Darling’s conduct during the past three months,” said Nick. “It was then that his wife first noticed his reticence and lack of customary affection.”
“He must have been bestowing it upon the other.”
“Quite likely,” Nick dryly agreed. “Then came a long period of increasing depression, relieved by frequent evenings in town, ostensibly alone. Later he sold his business, also his bonds and securities. Obviously, he wanted all of his funds in cash. Finally came the suicide, the letter stating his intention, and the burning of the boathouse, which nearly consumed the corpse and precluded absolute identification.”
“By Jove, Nick, you evidently think the whole business was faked,” said Chick abruptly.
“That is precisely what I think.”
“And that Cyrus Darling is not dead?”
“Exactly.”
“But the body——”