While he was there the gates were suddenly opened, and a flood of light shone out. The hearse came from the yard and was rapidly driven away.
The gates were then immediately closed again. In a moment or two Chick slipped down from the tree. He said to Nick:
“A box like those they put caskets in was brought in that hearse. It was heavy; it took six men to draw it by ropes from the pavement to the bridge. It was then carried into the rear room of that house in the rear, the lights of which you can see.
“Then they brought out the box light, for they let it down easily and carried it into the stable.”
“Something mysterious here,” said Nick. “Is it possible that they have brought Ellison over from New York in that box?”
“Drugged, so as to be unconscious?” asked Chick.
“It begins to look like that,” said Nick. “They could do it by perforating the casket with air holes.”
He was silent a moment or two, deeply thinking. At last he said:
“It must be so. They say they will have Ellison here to-night. Mrs. Ladew has been forced by Lannigan to meet him to-night. Ellison would hardly come over here willingly, and the chances of his escape, of being recognized or of alarming the public, would be too great for them to attempt to force him over. Chick, the only way in which they could get him over is to bring him unconscious and as a corpse.”
“It must be so,” said Chick. “Ellison was in that box. They have lifted him out and he is in that room where the lights are.”