Moreover, Cray had, so to speak, introduced himself and his companion to Simpson, speaking of Gordon as Nick Carter, of course. That promised to furnish the basis of a nice mystery.
Green Eye found the prisoner almost fainting with terror, and finished the work already begun, by fastening him in such a way that he could not budge from his place, or make any noise to amount to anything.
“This will have to be your cell for the present, Simpson,” he informed the trembling thief. “Don’t worry, though, you’ll find yourself in a real one, before long.”
And he turned his back on the wretched man and stalked out, pushing the door to and locking it behind him.
Cray remained to be disposed of, but Gordon had not forgotten that fact. He had had no intention of placing the two men in the garage, for he considered that unwise, on general principles. If Cray were dead, as he believed, the presence of the body might drive Simpson to extraordinary exertions, and thus bring about a premature discovery. On the other hand, if Jack were still alive, the two men might find means of communicating with or helping each other.
What then?
Naturally it occurred to the criminal that it might be well to bundle Cray into the car and carry him for some distance from the scene of the affair before attempting to dispose of the body. A moment’s thought caused him to veto that plan, however.
The car was not overlarge, and if Cray’s bulk were added to that of the two gold-laden suit cases, the interior of the electric machine would be overcrowded.
Furthermore, the upholstery was rather light in hue, and Gordon was afraid of bloodstains.
On the whole, therefore, he decided to leave his victim in the yard, but to conceal him as well as he could.