High tide is invariably followed by low, however, and although the ebb might not set in for some time in Green Eye’s case, it was sure to come sooner or later. For wrongdoing is its own worst enemy, and devours its own children.
Jack Cray was waiting on the platform when Gordon alighted at New Pelham, and it was plain from the ex-police detective’s bearing that he had had news of unusual importance to communicate.
“You have hit upon something, I see,” Green Eye remarked in Nick’s quiet tones.
“Cleared up the whole thing, I hope,” Cray assured him excitedly. “Let’s stroll in this direction—there are not many houses, and we need not be afraid of being overheard.”
“Lead the way,” the masquerader agreed, adding, when they had left the platform behind: “I’m curious to hear what you have dug up, Cray. Before you begin, though, I’d like to give you a few of the results I have arrived at in my study since you left me. It will be interesting to see how near they come to your findings.”
He was proud of the way he had analyzed the matter, and could not resist the temptation to parade his results.
“Go ahead,” invited Cray in an expectant tone.
He was thinking of Nick’s achievements in that line, and looked for something out of the ordinary. To be sure, his famous friend might “take the wind out of his sails,” as had often been the case in the past, but Jack’s admiration was sincere enough to stand even that test.
The fact that he was not disappointed in this instance is perhaps the most remarkable tribute that could be paid to Gordon’s intelligence.