“I think it, Chick; and it is because I think it, and also for the sake of Nan Nightingale, that I am determined to search this affair to the bottom and to explore the whole rotten business.
“The weak point in Jimmy’s case is the woman, Juno,” said Nick.
“Just how do you mean that?” Chick asked his chief.
“I’ll give you a left-handed answer to that question,” replied the detective. “I am not going to waste my time in trying to search out what Jimmy has done and where he has been since he was supposed to have died on that island in the Sound.”
“Why not?”
“Because the chances are about ten thousand to one that Jimmy has covered up his tracks so thoroughly that there would be no tracing him. He’s an adept at that sort of thing, as you know.”
“Yes.”
“There never was a craftier villain on earth than Jimmy; there never was a more far-seeing one; there never was a man so well adapted to throwing others off the scent as Jimmy has proved himself to be ever since I have known anything about him.”
“Well?”
“And, to begin with, we already know that salient fact about him and his present situation; but the point is, we cannot prove anything.”