"I shall feel a little more easy if I don’t take the chance," Nick dryly answered. "You’ll not suffer greatly, and it won’t be for long."
Fallon offered no further protest, and was left secured as described.
"Now, Chick, having landed a couple of the hirelings, we’ll get after the master," said Nick, as they turned away. "Unless I am much mistaken, we to-night shall see the last of Gaston Goulard, in so far as his criminal career is concerned. He is booked to pay the penalty."
"That’s likely to be his life for having killed Batty Lang."
"It’s more than probable. Come on."
"You expect to find Helen Mantell here, I infer."
"I haven’t a doubt of it," said Nick. "Be quiet, now, and have your guns ready. I’ll lead the way."
They had moved on and were picking their way up the narrow road. Through the intervening trees, the outlines of the old Corson house could be dimly seen. A solitary light appeared at one of the side windows.
Nick led the way in that direction, moving noiselessly over the damp sod. It proved to be the window of a dining room, as he could see between the curtain and the casing, though the roller shade was drawn completely down.
No other precautions had been taken by Gaston Goulard, however, so sure was he that the expected taxicab would bring only Fallon, Sadie Badger, and Nick, with the latter up against odds that he could not possibly oppose.