At the door Nick asked for “Herman Trevor,” which was the name Lansing had penciled on the card.
Mr. Trevor was sick in bed, the servant said.
“He’ll see me,” said Nick.
“Who shall I tell him wants to see him?”
“Don’t tell him. Just say it’s in regard to the Royal Ophir.”
Nick was admitted to the “sick” room and found that Lansing was feigning illness in order to keep in his room without causing remark.
He gave the young man a brief outline of what he had accomplished and of what he hoped yet to accomplish.
Lansing was astounded when he saw the drift of the detective’s logic.
He did not agree with Nick in his deductions, but promised faithfully to carry out his instructions.
Nick went away and proceeded to a secondhand clothing store to buy a suit of clothes that he desired for his own use.