Accepting the cigar that Nick Carter offered by pushing the box toward him on the table, James Mallory bit off the end in a distracted way, but did not light it. Instead, he used the unlighted cigar to emphasize the points of his narration by waving it about as he talked.
“Mr. Drago is one of the most influential men we have,� he began. “He is very wealthy, and he is a free spender. Then he is not old, and he is the sort of man who starts things in a social way and keeps them going afterward. You know how I mean, Mr. Carter?�
“Yes. Go on.�
“He went out to the golf links early this morning, saying he would be back for luncheon about twelve. He did not come, and we sent a boy over to the links to see why. The caddie says Mr. Drago left the links about eleven. He was going to walk back to the hotel by way of the beach. That is two hours ago. We can’t find the slightest trace of him.�
“Strange!� murmured Nick.
“It will be ruin for us, Mr. Carter,� declared Mallory. “Can’t you do something?�
“You have told me all you know? Isn’t there anything else you’ve discovered which might serve as a clew?�
“Not a thing. Mr. Drago walked through the lobby this morning, pleasant, as usual. He spoke to two or three people as he went along. I was one of them, as a matter of fact. He seemed to be in good spirits, and he said he intended to play the whole eighteen holes.�
“And that’s the last you saw of him? Was any one else playing this morning?�
“Several. They saw him make the whole round, and the caddie says he was in good form, and played a fine game.[Pg 11] I don’t know what his score was, exactly. I believe the caddie said he did it in——â€�