Moreover, something came up which made it necessary for him to disregard Patsy’s injunction to remain in until he could be reached.
“Mr. Crawford hasn’t come back yet, Mr. Mortimer?” the clerk asked. “The gentleman seemed to know him, too.”
The detective had turned away from the desk, but he faced about and shook his head.
“I’m afraid that Crawford will not be back for some time,” he replied. “He was taken very ill while we were out together, and I had to remove him to a hospital. I’m not quite sure what’s the matter with him. I’m afraid, though, that it’s some sort of fever which he may have contracted in South America.”
The hotel clerk looked startled. “It’s nothing very serious, I hope?” he said.
“I trust not,” was the reply. “The hospital people feel sure that it isn’t contagious, if that’s what you mean.”
Again he started to leave the desk, but the clerk once more detained him. “A messenger came from the Standard National Bank about half an hour ago,” the young man explained. “He asked for either Mr. Stone or Mr. Crawford, and said it was very important. Mr. Stone was in his room in the small hours of the morning, I understand, but he isn’t there now, and nobody seems to have seen him about the building this morning.”
A little glint came into Nick’s eyes, but the clerk did not notice it.
“The Standard National is near here, isn’t it?” he inquired, although he knew perfectly well.