It might be that the whole plot was directed to that end, and that the transfer of the jewels to the Stevenses was only to be an incidental result of the plot.
Yet so long as Miss Stevens' unusual conduct remained unexplained, it would not do to go upon this theory.
"One of the principal things that Horace Richmond employed me to do," said Nick to himself, "was to break up his uncle's belief in spiritualism. I guess that this is a first-class chance to do it."
He softly crept to the corner where the gliding figures had disappeared.
There, as he expected, he found one of those movable panels which the bogus mediums prepare so cleverly.
His experience of such affairs taught Nick exactly what he should find in the other room.
There must be a little cabinet in the corner covering the other side of the sliding panel.
The medium might be in it, or she might be sitting blindfold just by the door.
But the cabinet was certainly not empty. Two figures had gone into it, as Nick had observed.
One of these was doubtless playing the part of Aunt Lavina.