“There were two men, Mantell, judging from the different imprints, or what little is left of them,” said Nick. “They may have been here with some other object in view, possibly the planning of a burglary. Their hearing that letter, however, may have been only incidental, though it evidently resulted in a change of their plans for an entirely different job.”
“You mean that of getting and robbing Juan Padillo.”
“Precisely.”
“But why do you suspect that a burglary was contemplated?”
“Because a notorious burglar, one of the most dangerous yeggs in the country, was killed last night in a house in Manhattanville,” Nick now explained. “I refer to Cornelius Taggart, quite commonly known as Connie Taggart, the cracksman.”
“Good heavens!” Mantell’s color had been steadily waning. “You imply, Carter, that he may have been one of the eavesdroppers, that he may have been the scoundrel who used my name to deceive Juan Padillo.”
“Either he, Mantell, or his confederate,” bowed Nick. “That is precisely what I think.”
“But why? For any other reason?” Mantell asked anxiously.[Pg 20]
“Yes, a very potent reason,” nodded the detective. “Listen, Mantell, and I will tell why I think so.”
Nick then informed him of what had been discovered in the Manhattanville house, the evidence he had found, and many of the conclusions at which he had arrived.