“Something has happened,” he explained. “Cray has been rather badly injured, and I can’t seem to locate Mr. Carter. Under the circumstances, I feel compelled to telegraph for this young man you speak of, or else to call in some outsider.”
In view of this explanation, it is not surprising that the butler gave him the desired information, especially as he and Mrs. Peters had been worrying somewhat over Nick’s unexplained absence.
Armed with the address, Griswold lost little time in reaching the nearest telegraph office, and in drafting a message to Chick Carter. It read:
“Unusually important case on. Am badly injured. Come at once.”
And it was signed “Cray.”
He had decided to send it in the injured detective’s name, believing that it would have more force than if dispatched by a third party. The absence of any specific directions for finding Cray was intentional. Griswold had neglected to make any inquiries concerning the injured man’s relatives, and did not even know where he lived. He had been to his office, that was all, and he knew that to be a business building.
He did not care to give the New Pelham address, because he hoped to have a very confidential interview with Chick, and he did not care to have it take place under Simpson’s roof; therefore, he had decided to say nothing about it, and to meet Chick’s train—for he had estimated the time required for the telegram to reach its destination, and could easily look up the trains when he reached his office.
It was then nearly one o’clock in the afternoon, and Chick could not be expected before morning. Meanwhile, Griswold hoped for a summons from New Pelham, but none came.
Growing impatient, he telephoned late in the afternoon, and was informed by the new nurse that there had been no change in Cray’s condition, except one for the worse. He had sunken into a deep stupor.
“Hang it all! I hope he isn’t going to die,” Griswold muttered. “If he does, without recovering consciousness, I may not be able to fasten this thing on Carter, after all, for I’m certain Simpson’s testimony would not have any great weight, unless corroborated.”