“One obtained for a blind,” Nick interrupted. “Really, Chick, this entire combination of circumstances admits of no other conclusion. Darling’s conduct during the past three months, as I have just sized it up: the selection of the boathouse for the supposed suicide, where the arrangements for such a fraud could have been easily and secretly made, as well as a quick and undetected get-away on the river after the trick was turned; the setting fire to the building in order to cremate the corpse and preclude identification except by means of articles placed on it, the garments, ring, and even the false teeth of the supposed victim—all point to one conclusion, Chick; that the job was a frame-up from beginning to end.”
“By Jove, it’s a curious case, Nick, if you are right,” Chick answered.[Pg 18]
“Not so very curious. It’s a case of a lost head.”
“A lost head?”
“Exactly. That of a man who has lost his head. It’s up to us to help him find it and set it back on his shoulders—if not too late.”
“Lost his head for a woman? Is that what you mean?”
“Precisely.”
“But why do you think we may be too late?”
“Because, though a week has passed since the supposed suicide, the cat has not jumped,” said Nick enigmatically.
“I don’t get you.”