“You have no doubt, of course, that the Mexican who was here last evening was Juan Padillo.”
“Not the slightest.”
“Lured here by crooks who had learned of the circumstances and been watching for the vessel.”
“Exactly. They were more alert than Mantell, and got in their work ahead of him.”
“But how do you size up what occurred here?”
“I’m not quite ready to say,” said Nick. “I am going with Mantell to his residence. You remain here and get what information Gibson can impart. Have a look in the meantime at the doors and windows of the house. There may be evidence indicating that it was broken into by some of the rascals afterward engaged in the fight.”
“I’ll find it, Nick, if there is any,” Chick confidently predicted. “I see at what you are driving.”
“Have Kennedy summon the coroner, also, and direct him to take the customary legal steps here,” Nick added. “Say nothing about what we have learned and suspect,[Pg 16] but tell him we will continue our investigations, and report later.”
“I’ve got you.”
“Having taken those steps, rejoin me at Mantell’s residence as quickly as possible,” Nick directed. “He lives——”