Creeping noiselessly, he went along the hallway until he arrived at the library door.
Here he stopped and listened.
He heard the voices of two persons; but could not catch their conversation.[Pg 48]
The ornamentations on the key-hole, inside as well as on the hall side, prevented his hearing through that channel.
Looking upward, he noticed that the old-fashioned transom could easily be opened, and he was soon standing upon a hall chair with a good view of the interior of the room.
Sam Rogers was seated at a desk, and Moreno standing beside him.
The latter was speaking in a commanding manner; but his voice was so low that Nick could not detect his words.
He now proceeded to open the transom as cautiously and noiselessly as possible.
After a few moments he succeeded in opening it a few inches, and he then heard distinctly the conversation of Moreno and Rogers.
"It is utterly useless to go any further," said Rogers. "I will not swear an information against Dr. Lord."