He had expected it to follow his assertion that Cyrus Darling was alive, and that the supposed suicide was but part of a knavish scheme, including Kate Crandall, Jim Dacey, and Cyrus Darling himself. The speedy effect of his declarations, however, as well as the resources of the rascals, had exceeded his anticipations.
But there was still another reason for the sudden aggressive move made by Philip Floyd, a reason that Nick could not possibly have anticipated, yet which alone necessitated the desperate step Floyd had taken.
Patsy Garvan was responsible for it, though not because of any fault on his part. Following the instructions that Nick had given them, Patsy and Chick arrived at the Ashburton Chambers about ten minutes after Nick, separating before entering, Patsy to look up Sheldon and Floyd, while Chick undertook to identify the suspect seen by Danny in company with Kate Crandall that afternoon.
Nick had remarked, before leaving home, that, with three strings to their bow, there certainly should be something doing—and there was.
Patsy entered the house about ten minutes after Nick went up to Kate Crandall’s suite, and, as luck would have it, he shaped the same course that his chief had taken. He began his work with buying a cigar and interrogating the girl clerk with precisely the same question.
“Have you seen Ralph Sheldon here this evening?”
The girl laughed while giving Patsy his change.
“You’re not alone,” she remarked. “Another man just asked the same question.”
“That so?” queried Patsy, knowing it must have been Nick. “How long ago was that?”
“Not more than ten minutes,” said the girl. “Sheldon must be in demand this evening. He was talking with the clerk a short time ago. I guess you’ll find him in his suite, third floor, rear corridor, number ninety-four.”