“Oh, it may not prove as serious as you apprehend, not serious at all, perhaps,” Nick said lightly, though chiefly to encourage the woman.
“Well, well, I hope not.”
“Do nothing more about it, nor say anything to others,” Nick repeated. “Leave the matter entirely to me. I will do all that can be done with the case, and will lose no time in doing it.”
Mollie Waldmere thanked him feelingly, then went to make her preparations for returning home.
Mr. Carrington detained the detective for a moment, asking gravely:
“Tell me frankly, Carter, what do you think of this? Do not deceive me.”
“Frankly, then, Mr. Carrington, it looks bad, quite bad,” said Nick. “Knaves do not take such risks, nor go to so much trouble, unless with some strong incentive. I cannot conjecture what lies back of it, of course, but I am going to find out.”
“Will you communicate with me later?”
“Surely by to-morrow morning. Keep quiet in the meantime and leave me to do the rest.”
Nick remained only to talk briefly with Chick, telling him what he had learned, and he then departed hurriedly, heading for home in a taxicab.