That which struck Chick as the most humorous was that Patsy, after having assumed the disguise of an east side crook, and as he was hastening away with a view of getting rid of it, should run against the original himself.
When the story was ended, Nick said:
“If I had been at your elbow, Patsy, to have you do exactly what I wanted you to do, you could not have done better than you have done. It was a bright idea of yours, having found out pretty closely who the men were who did the job, to make them hold on to the case, and not deliver it.
“From what Chick and I have learned to-day, added to your very important discoveries, I think we can set out on the line, and not be very far wrong, that Seaman employed Lannigan and his companions to go into that house for that case.
“That’s the line that we have got to work on now. If we can connect Seaman and Lannigan, I think our theory will straighten out into fact.”
“I wish,” said Chick, “I had known all that we now know before I left the neighborhood of Seaman’s office.”
“Why so?” asked Nick.
“Because,” replied Chick, “I fear that that trip of Lannigan and his companion across the river, that Patsy tells of, was to meet Seaman and, perhaps, to deliver to him there that case.”
“I don’t think so,” said Patsy, positively.
“And why not, youngster?” asked Chick.