“But no such man is known in these parts.”
“The name may be an alias, or the man may be living with some one who has a telephone, and whose name Patsy could not get. That of Beardly does not appear[Pg 17] in the telephone-exchange book. We must follow up the clew, nevertheless.”
“But how——”
“The way may be opened,” Nick interrupted, glancing toward the house. “Here is a door opening upon an entry and stairway used by the servants. The stairs are within ten feet of the rooms occupied by Clayton and Clara Langham.”
“You think she left by this door?”
“I do. She certainly would have been seen if leaving by any other.”
“But would she have gone out with Margate, made up as Toulon?”
“No, probably not,” said Nick. “But suppose Margate removed his mustache and the wig he must have worn, and thrust them into his pocket. Don’t forget that he is a human counterfeit of Chester Clayton.”
“By Jove, I see the point,” said Chick. “You think he fooled Miss Langham into going with him.”
“Exactly,” Nick nodded. “Clayton’s overcoat and hat are missing. It’s a hundred to one that Margate put them on and got away with the girl, who already was clad to leave at a moment’s notice.”