“Certainly. That’s the first step to be taken.”
“I will go with you, Carter, and——” Clayton began.
“No, no, don’t think of it,” Nick interrupted decidedly. “You are in no fit condition for such work. Besides, it will require only two or three to effectively cover the ground. I have my chauffeur, and Garside no doubt will be glad to aid me.”
“Most assuredly,” Margate cried, eyes lighting. “We should, I think, start in at once.”
“We will do so,” said Nick, turning. “You remain here with your wife, Clayton, till we have ended our search. That will not take long. If it proves futile, I then will decide what next must be done. Come with me, Garside. We’ll pick up Danny on our way out.”
They left the house by the side door, Nick quickly informing Danny of their mission, while Margate pointedly observed:
“Your chauffeur had better go one way, Carter, while we take another direction. Why not let him tackle the front street?”
“Because there is no need of that.”
“Why no need of it?” Margate frowned quickly.
“Because Madame Clayton did not go that way,” Nick explained, now shaping his course in accord with what he thought the rascal really wanted. “She would surely have been seen and detained, if not recognized and brought back here. It is safe to assume that she went through the rear street, where there are few persons even during the day, and only scattered dwellings.”