“The house out there has been closed for at least two months. Miss Lynne would never have gone there of her own accord, at such an hour. If there had been some article there that she wanted to get, she would have selected another hour for going; therefore she made the journey at the behest of another person.�
Patsy nodded emphatically, and Nick said:
“We both indorse that.�
“The question arises then,� said Chick, “as to who would have influence enough over her to persuade her to do such a thing? What manner of man could have done it? Was it a relative? Or was she persuaded to go there by some person who may have had a hold of some kind over her father, and was she persuaded to go there because she believed she was serving him?�
“No; I don’t think that last,� replied the detective.
“I’d like to speak my little piece right here and now,� said Patsy, rather sharply for him.
“Well?�
“Edythe Lynne was persuaded to visit that house last night by a lie. No matter what she imagined the reason to be, it was a lie, and it was sufficient to her to compel her to do something that she would never have thought of doing had not her feelings been wrought upon almost to the point of hysteria.�
“Good,� said Chick.
“Go on, Patsy,� said Nick Carter.