“I did not expect any. She would certainly come.”
At this moment there was a knock at the door.
A telegram was brought in. It was addressed to Mr. Parks, and had reached his house after he left.
The butler, knowing where he had gone, had sent it after him.
He tore it open.
“From Stamford,” he said, and then his face grew white.
“Merciful Heaven!” he cried. “Gentlemen, my wife has not been to Stamford.”
“Have you her picture?” asked Nick.
For answer Parks drew out his watch and opened the back of the case with a trembling hand. He then held the picture it contained before Nick’s eyes.
“Mr. Parks,” said Nick, “tell me the truth. Was it your nephew whom you suspected of that robbery or——”