“Mr. Lynne, were you out with your car last night?� he asked abruptly.
“Really, Mr. Carter,� was the slow reply, given with another raising of the eyebrows, “you amaze me. You send up word to me that you have information of the utmost importance; I receive you because I recognize the name on your card as representing one of the greatest detectives of modern times, and I assume that your important news must really be important, or you would not have come here at all; then you say that the important information you have has something to do with Pleasantglades, and in the next breath you ask me if I was out with my car last night. Will you be good enough to tell me why you are here?�
The cordiality and affability had all gone from his voice now, and it was cold, distant, and genuinely the one of a man who is not accustomed to being intruded upon for nothing.
“Would you mind answering the question?� Nick replied, with equal coldness. “My important information will follow at once.�
“Before I reply to any questions at all, Mr. Carter, I must ask for the information; or, at least, for the character of it,� was the reply.
“Very well. Pleasantglades was entered last night, I believe. One of my assistants has already given the information to the local police.�
“Is that all?� exclaimed the millionaire, with an air of great relief. “I really thought it might be something else; that the place was burned down, or something of that sort. It was good of you to come here yourself to tell me, however. I appreciate it.�
“Thank you. Now, will you reply to my question?�
“About the car? What has that to do with it?�
“Merely that it might have been yourself who visited Pleasantglades last night—or very early this morning.â€�