“Surely,” Chick nodded.
“I decided, however, that I had better clinch my suspicion. I found the same dainty finger print on the damp silver spoon which I had her bring and hold for a moment.”
“Gosh, that did settle it!” said Patsy. “Clever work, chief, all right.”
“I am convinced of the guilt of this girl and the part she has played in the robbery.”
“Why didn’t you arrest her, then, and force a confession from her?” Chick inquired.
“That last might not be easily done,” Nick replied. “Furthermore, the girl may not know the crooks.”
“Not know them? How can that be, providing your suspicions are correct?”
“She may have been lured into this by a supposed friend, one who is in league with the crooks and who is acting as a sort of go-between.”
“I see the point,” bowed Chick. “Minerva Grand might not be able to put us on the track of the gang itself.”
“That’s the point precisely,” said Nick. “I would not take the chance of arresting her, therefore, or even of letting her know that I suspect her. That is why I did not make a special mark of her in my inquiries, also why I have kept all this from the Waldmeres and left them entirely in the dark. I feared they might betray me to the girl by some word, or look.”