“Why not?”
“Because I feel sure that Taggart was killed by the Mexican, and his escape and the evidence that Lang was preventing others from pursuing him, indicate that Lang was not a confederate of Taggart, but was opposed to him. No other deduction would be consistent with all of the circumstances.”
“That’s right, too,” Chick quickly nodded. “I see the point.”
“Lang has been identified at times with the Ben Badger gang,” Nick added. “Badger is a tough ticket, also that notorious sister of his, Sadie Badger. They’re the kingpins of about as bad a bunch as can be found in the East Side.”
“Right again, Nick.”
“I never have heard, however, that Connie Taggart was friendly with them. If any of them were with Lang last night, we may be able to find positive evidence of it and to force a squeal from them. Otherwise—hello!”
Nick broke off abruptly when they turned the corner, and Chick also saw the occasion for it.
“Goodness!” he exclaimed. “There is Patsy, and—yes, by Jove, it’s Frank Mantell. What the deuce has sent them here?”
The touring car containing Patsy Garvan and Mantell,[Pg 12] driven by the latter’s chauffeur, had just swerved to the sidewalk near the house in which the two murders had been committed.