“What is the important business that brought you to me, Mr. Carter?â€� Mr. Lynne asked, affably enough, but with much of the air of one who was bored by the entire proceeding—and as if nothing could convince him that it was really of vital importance.
Somehow Nick did not like the man, although there was no reason why he should not do so.
But there was something about him which did not seem to the detective to be quite genuine.
“In referring to your country place, you mean Pleasantglades, I suppose?� Nick asked, in reply to the question.
“Most certainly,� raising his brows.
“In that case, and if you were going there at once, it was perhaps unnecessary that I should have called at all, for you would presently have discovered for yourself what I have come to tell you,â€� said the detective. “I have just come from there, and I came to tell you that——â€�
The cup of coffee which Mr. Lynne was holding in one hand unaccountably slipped from it and crashed to the floor, and, as that gentleman bent forward to pick it up, he said:
“How stupid of me. Please go on, Mr. Carter.�
CHAPTER IV.
A MAN, OR A MONSTER?
Nick Carter looked at the man closely.