In fact, the very first words uttered by Lynne, when they were again alone, proved that.
“Why could you not have told me all this at once?� he demanded; and then, without waiting for a reply, he sprang to his feet and dashed from the room.
Nick Carter followed him slowly, anticipating where he had gone, and, true enough, found him at the telephone impatiently awaiting an answer to the call he had given.
But it was evident that Lynne had in part recovered himself, even in that short time, for, half turning, with the receiver at his ear, he placed one hand over the transmitter, and motioned to the detective.
“Please don’t go, Mr. Carter,� he said. “Wait until I have finished here at the phone.�
“Very well,� said the detective, and was turning away when Lynne spoke again.
“You must pardon me,� he said, “if anything that I have said or done this morning has given you offense. I don’t think I have been quite myself. Will you wait until I am done at the phone, so that I may talk with you a few minutes before starting?�
“Certainly, Mr. Lynne.�
“This is all so horrible, so unreal, so incomprehensible. I want to know all the particulars as you know them, and something tells me that you know more than that officer told. At all events you are an experienced man, and you can—— Hello!â€� He turned to the phone.
“This is Mr. Lynne,� Nick heard him say. “Is that the police station?�