“This is further confirmed by the removal of his photograph, which Mrs. Darling thinks is the only one in existence.”
“What was his object in removing it?”
“To prevent broadcast publication of it in the newspapers, in case the truth was suspected,” said Nick. “Verbal descriptions cut no great ice. A picture, however, has brought many a knave to the ringbolt. He was heading off that means of identification, exposure, and arrest.”
“Gee! that listens good to me, chief,” said Patsy. “Ten to one it hits the nail on the head.”
“I feel reasonably sure of it.”
“But what are your plans?” Chick inquired. “If Darling is up against a gang, as you suspect, and they [Pg 19]discover that his wife has put us on the case, it’s long odds that they will lose no time in bolting.”
“That’s the very point I was coming to,” Nick said, more forcibly. “They must have discovered it. Danny’s report convinces me of that. Kate Crandall knows it, also the unknown man who informed her. He must be identified. We have Danny’s description of him, which will probably be recognized by persons employed in the Ashburton Chambers, if he has been in the habit of visiting Kate Crandall.”
“No doubt.”
“You tackle that part of the work, Chick, and we’ll get after these suspects before they can make a successful get-away.”
“But Kate Crandall said she would be in her apartments all of this evening, chief,” Patsy reminded him. “That don’t look much like bolting.”