“Ah, I see,” said Nick, interrupting. “You then were attacked by the three men.”
“Yes, sir. Hang them, that’s just what came off.”
“One of them must have impersonated you, Toulon, for the message was taken to Mr. Vandyke.”
“Taken to him?” Toulon appeared astonished. “Is that so, sir?”
“Yes, surely,” Nick nodded. “But what now puzzles me, Toulon, is how he could have known anything about the message, Lenaire having given it to you.”
“Well, sir, he might have been listening under the dining-room window when Mr. Lenaire gave me the message,” Toulon quickly suggested, with his gaze fixed on the detective’s face.
“Ah, by Jove, I hadn’t thought of that,” Nick exclaimed, with countenance lighting. “That may explain it, Chick, after all.”
“Yes, indeed,” Chick quickly agreed, now seeing precisely at what Nick was driving. “It certainly clears up that point.”
“Surely,” Nick added. “I’m glad he suggested it. So, instead of immediately taking the message, Toulon, you slipped out to have a smoke.”
“Yes, sir, a short one.”