“That hits the nail on the head.”
“You think he has conspired with others to murder Waldmere, and remove the only barrier to his inheriting the estate and title of his brother?”
“That also rings a bull’s-eye,” Nick nodded.
“But wouldn’t he incur such serious suspicion at home, Nick, that he might——”
“Not in the way he has undertaken the job,” Nick interposed. “He ostensibly is acting as agent for the Earl of Eggleston, and apparently is engaged in a genuine search for Waldmere. He has appealed to Scotland Yard and got a letter of introduction to me. I feel quite sure, however, that both steps were taken only to give color to his pretentions. If I am right, Chick, he is getting in his secret work with the help of knaves hired for the purpose, while he keeps well in the background and pretends to be playing an honorable part.”
“But the killing of Waldmere may enable him to——”
“I’m not sure that there has been any killing,” Nick again interrupted.
“No murder?”
“Not yet.”
“Great guns!” Chick exclaimed. “That’s encouraging, at least, but why do you think so?”