“Precisely,” Lord Waldmere nodded. “That’s all there was to the blooming business.”
Nick did not feel so sure of it. He saw plainly, however, that there was nothing more to be learned from the titled Englishman, who obviously knew as little of business as a lad in knickerbockers.
More than an hour had passed since the episode on the avenue. There was no indication of Lady Waldmere’s return, nor did Nick really expect it. He glanced at his watch and found that it was nearly seven o’clock.
“Dash it! I’m deucedly upset,” Waldmere remarked, and he really looked so. “What the dickens am I to do? What——”
Nick interrupted him kindly, but impressively.
“There is only one wise thing for you to do, Lord Waldmere,” said he. “You must leave this matter to me and do precisely what I direct. If your wife has been abducted, or is a victim of other knavery, I will leave no stone unturned to find her and punish the crooks. I can accomplish both, perhaps, while you would surely fail.”
“You’re jolly well right, Mr. Carter, as far as that goes,” Waldmere frankly admitted.
“You must see, then, that my advice is sound,” said Nick. “I will take the case, if you wish, but you must promise to follow my instructions.”
“That’s deucedly kind, sir, and I’ll do so. I will, sir, ’pon my honor.”
“Very good,” said Nick. Give the matter no publicity, then, at present. Remain here quietly until to-morrow morning, stating to others in the house merely that your wife is away for a short time. I don’t want the matter to reach the newspapers.”