First, then, Jimmy had hidden those stolen jewels somewhere within the rooms occupied by Nan Nightingale—had hidden them somewhere, so that when discovered, apparently by accident or otherwise, the conclusion would be self-evident that Nan had, herself, hidden them there.
Second, they would necessarily have to be hidden where searchers would come upon them more by accident than by design.
Third, they could not, therefore, be under lock and key, put away in a drawer or a trunk; but must have been placed in some receptacle into which a stranger might peer, quite naturally, to discover them.
Although Nick Carter, during the half hour that he spent inside those rooms, searched every possible place where the jewels might have been hidden, he turned at last toward the door, profitless from the search.
He had peered into every vase, into every possible receptacle that stood in sight, and had found no trace of them—and so much time had elapsed that he did not dare to remain longer away from the other members of the house party.
So he turned toward the door which opened upon the hall, opened it, and found himself looking into the face of Jimmy Duryea.
But Jimmy did not come within reach. He only laughed, and turned hastily away.
“I thought so,” he said. “I thought so;” and then he ran down the stairs, before Nick could make an effort to detain him.